Career options set to blossom

A DANDENONG-based education and employment network has helped students with learning disabilities plant the seeds of healthy careers in horticulture.
The Adopt a Park program, run by South East Local Learning and Employment Network Local Community Partnership (SELLEN LCP), was formed through a partnership between Marnebek School in Cranbourne and the City of Casey’s Cranbourne Community Plan project.
All students have been assessed as having mild, moderate or profound intellectual disability.
As part of the project, students have been spending one day a week over eight weeks at Gunns Road Reserve in Hallam weeding, planting and watering trees under the supervision of council’s natural resources officer Lachlan Marshall.
City of Casey engineering and environment manager David Richardson said staff from Casey’s Environmental Services team along with SELLEN LCP were working with Marnebek students to help develop their work and social skills to prepare them for the workforce after finishing school. Marnebek is a government special school offering educational and social programs to students aged between five and 18.
“At the end of the eight weeks we will celebrate the conclusion of the students’ work with a barbecue and a plaque will be placed at the site recognising their contribution,” Mr Richardson said.
“The aim of the project is to prepare the students for life in the workforce after completing their schooling while making a valuable contribution to their community.”
The program concluded with a sausage sizzle at Gunns Road Reserve this week, and SELLEN LCP coordinator Alex Palazzolo thanked all parties inovolved.
He gave special thanks to Repeat Signs from Carrum Downs which donated a bollard so the council and Marnabek can mount a commemorative plaque in the reserve.