Back from left, Farid, Diu, Sean, Alona, Antoni, John and, front, Apu are helping to deliver the relocatable Pop-Up-Park in central Dandenong. 59210
By Bridget Cook
The Pop-Up-Park, which is expected to be finished in April, is a relocatable project which will feature two small sided outdoor synthetic soccer pitches, barbecue facilities and a community garden.
VicUrban is delivering the project through a partnership with Mission Australia’s Urban Renewal enterprise.
Since October last year, 24 trainees have been transforming an underutilised site on Foster Street, near Dandenong Station, prior to its eventual redevelopment as part of the Revitalising Central Dandenong initiative.
The program aims to foster valuable self-confidence and vocational skills in 22 men and two women including early school leavers, Year 12 graduates, people who were previously unemployed and one trainee in his fifties.
The initiative runs for 20 weeks. The trainees are involved three days a week, two of which they are onsite doing practical work, the other day they do theory work through Chisholm TAFE.
Mission Australia urban renewal manager Chris Hawken said not only was the initiative revitalising a dormant area but it was helping build vocational skills in people from the area.
“The trainees are well on their way to developing skills and knowledge which could lead to jobs or apprenticeships following completion of their traineeship in mid-2011,” he said.
“One trainee has already transitioned to a full-time apprenticeship due to the skills she developed on this project.”
Trainee John Gagali, 23, from Dandenong North said the initiative was rewarding in a number of ways.
“Before I was doing this I was working in warehouse,” he said.
“Eventually that became too easy and I was doing the same thing everyday.
“I’m enjoying every bit of this; it’s a bit different everyday. It’s challenging, but I was looking for a challenge.
“I’ve learnt a lot of skills like how to read a plan and about all the different tools.”
Twenty-year-old Diu Phadiet from Dandenong said he had learnt a range of skills throughout the program.
“I hope this will help me move into the workforce,” he said. “I would love to get a automotive apprenticeship when I’m finished here.”
Within five years the Pop-Up-Park will either be incorporated into the final design of the site or relocated to an alternative location in Dandenong. Wherever possible the facility’s construction method and materials were selected to ensure it can be relocated in the future.
The project has secured a $608,000 grant from the Australian Government Jobs Fund and a $480,000 Victorian Community Support Grant from the Department of Planning and Community Development.
For more information visit www.pop-up-park.com
