Hand Brake Turn participants Ann Williams (mechanics), Murphy Johnson (panel beating), Wuok Thiwat (spray-painting) and Awen Dearlove (mechanics) want to ensure the community know the program is going strong.
By Nicole Williams
After a battle for government funding last year, program manager Mark Binnington wants to ensure the community knows it is still going strong.
“We are around and we’re still here and we’ve got secure funding for at least 12 months,” he said.
“There’s been a bit of a perception that we are shutting down.”
But the program for disengaged young people is always calling for more backing from the community.
“We do have a lot of community support but we’re always looking for more – whether its tools, equipment or vehicles,” Mr Binnington said.
“We are always looking for more cars – that’s something we’re quite in need of at the moment.”
The program is for young people aged between 15 and 20 years who struggle in the school environment or to enter the workforce.
The young people help repair a car over the eight-week program, which is then presented to a worthy recipient in the community.
Mr Binnington said that while the program tries to instil employment skills and training, it is also important the kids give something back to the community.
