General News
2 January, 2021
Innisfail State College Unveils Archibull Prize Entry
CASSOWARY Coast Regional Council and Innisfail State College were proud to unveil this year’s entry into the innovative Archibull Prize program.
The Archibull Prize program saw students interpret their learnings and investigations into an agricultural area of interest that was important to them and the Cassowary Coast community. Students then expressed their findings through a case study and turning a life size fibreglass bull into a work of art.
Community and Culture portfolio holder, Councillor Trudy Tschui said “The Archibull Prize program is supported by Council’s Regional Skills Investment Strategy which connects students with agriculture industry”.
The grade 9 Agricultural class participated in the Archibull Prize program, whilst the Grade 7’s explored a similar program named Kreative Koalas.
The students named the bull “Guyji”, which translates to ‘determined to do the right thing’. The students identified that ultimately it is the consumer who can drive change in the way we manage agricultural land, and the management of healthy, safe and sustainable catchments is everybody’s business.
Councillor Tschui said that the students have done a wonderful job. Guyji is currently visiting the Innisfail Customer Service Centre and I hope everyone takes a moment to visit Guyji, say g’day and admire the hard work and dedication that has gone into this artwork.
“Agriculture is our region’s major industry and it’s important that our youth are inspired to connect with the many opportunities it presents for career pathways.
“Council is committed to connecting youth in our community to future pathways and encouraging young people to remain in our region when their schooling is finished.
“One of the pathways that our youth may be interested in is the agriculture sector. Cassowary Coast is home to about 80% of Australia’s banana industry so it is a Council priority to help our youth discover the sector and hopefully encourage them to consider the agricultural industry as a career path.
“Mentoring programs and local career connections are enablers created by Council through partnerships to inspire pathways for the region’s youth.
“With a focus on providing real workplace experience to assist the opportunity to transition youth into local employment, Council hosted two year nine students for work experience as part of the Innisfail State College Connect Mentoring Program.
“The Connect Mentoring Program commenced in 2018 and since that time Council has provided opportunities for students to gain work experience in a number of different areas of Council, including working with some of our Tradespersons to gain work experience.
“Staff and students are carefully matched so that the students are exposed to solid role modelling by being immersed in an adult work place with tradespersons, professionals, and the wider community.
“Additional to mentoring, Council in partnership with the region’s Transition Pathways Officer reinvigorated an annual Careers Day that was held at Innisfail State College for public high school students. Students from Babinda to Tully attended, which received 320 students throughout the day who were connected with training and employment opportunities in the Cassowary Coast region.
“Through supporting the Careers Day we hope to create linkages between real industry opportunities and students, and I believe we’ll see some great long-term outcomes from this year’s Careers Day.
“I encourage every organisation and business throughout the Cassowary Coast to join us in the effort to help kids create a future here by opening their doors for work experience, creating trainee and apprenticeships or any other way that they can help,” Councillor Tschui said.
For further information about Council’s work experience and traineeship opportunities call 1300 763 903. Information on the Archibull Prize program can be found by visiting https://archibullprize.com.au
