TAFE Gippsland was pleased to provide sponsorship to participants of the Gippsland Community Leadership Program (GCLP) to meet their brief of undertaking a community project by providing free training on the safe use of chainsaws to members of the Mirboo North community recovering from a destructive storm event.
With the clean-up from the freak February event continuing, a syndicate of GCLP participants recognised that women and young people in particular lacked the knowledge of how to operate a chainsaw safely in order to clear storm debris from their properties or to assist others.
TAFE Gippsland worked with the GCLP Syndicate 4 to provide a full day’s training for 36 participants on how to safely and confidently use a chainsaw.
Dubbed Safe Sawing in the ‘Boo, the project was held over two days, empowering participants with essential chainsaw skills including work health and safety, personal protective equipment, trim and cross-cut trees, and basic chainsaw maintenance.
TAFE Gippsland Director of Educational Delivery, Linda Austin said the organisation was proud to partner with GCLP to provide this important service to assist Mirboo North in its recovery.
“Our responsibility to the community is paramount, and this project showcases our commitment to support, collaborate, and upskill local people of all ages and abilities,” she said.
“Our forestry educators including Kevin Nunn, Peter Bowman and Russell Barter are absolute leaders in their field and as an organisation, we were pleased to assist Syndicate 4 to achieve its goal of delivering Safe Sawing in the ‘Boo that will leave a lasting legacy to the Mirboo North community.”
GCLP Syndicate 4 representative Ella Angarane said feedback from the course was 100 per cent positive.
“The participants appreciated the experienced and supportive TAFE Gippsland staff, with the instructors being very knowledgeable and clearly demonstrated each stage,” she said.
“One participant commented that they were a complete beginner and the training was very valuable. They were excited to get back home and feel confident and capable to chainsaw around their property.
“This project was made possible by collaboration with TAFE Gippsland, the Mirboo North and District Community Foundation, the Mirboo North Golf Club and the Mirboo North Storm Cell Volunteers.”
