Page 904 - Week 03 - Wednesday, 27 February 2013

Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video


Through working at the Branch Out Cafe, these young people can complete the certificate 1 in work preparation (community services). The course is designed for students with a disability and is helping them gain jobs in the hospitality industry. Indeed, one of the graduates at the ceremony was about to start work at a hospitality business.

Assisting in the transition to outside work is an important part of the enterprise. This includes liaising with businesses, connecting the graduates with potential employers and helping employers and graduates design a job to suit the young person’s abilities. Graduates can also build on their certificates by going on to other vocational training.

The trainees serve customers in the cafe on Monday, Tuesday and Friday from 8.30 to 12.30 and prepare food for the cafe at 80 Beaurepaire Crescent, Holt. Having enjoyed their hospitality, I can especially recommend their gourmet sausage rolls. The team also do outside catering for morning and afternoon teas and lunches at conferences and the like. The prices and order forms are available online through the Carers ACT website.

I congratulate the Branch Out Cafe graduates, Carers ACT and the trainers involved in the cafe and Communities@work for the support it gives this wonderful venture. It really is transforming lives.

Melba Copland Secondary School

CAT awards

Health—organ donation

MS PORTER (Ginninderra) (6.54): I visited the Melba Copland college recently following an invitation by a young man, Josh Goyne, who approached me at his school’s graduation. Josh informed me he was part of a team of students that have entered and won the New South Wales division of the F1 in Schools national championship. He wanted me to meet members of his team, all of whom were students at Melba Copland secondary.

Last week I was able to finally meet with the team. The team gave me a thorough presentation of their entry and showed off their awards that they had won last year, including the state championship and an innovation award. I congratulate all of them on their hard work and imagination. The team left on Monday this week to participate in this year’s F1 in Schools national finals in Avalon, Victoria.

I would like to thank all the sponsors who helped make this possible. I congratulate their principal, Mr Michael Battenally, and the teachers in charge of the F1 project, Mr Minos Nikolaidis and Mr David Appel, on guiding in supporting these students.

Of course, I congratulate the students: Conor Flannery, CAD designer and team captain; Fin Ubels, performance manager; Jaxon Biden, research manager; and Josh Goyne, marketing manager. I wish them luck as they compete with their peers from around Australia.


Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video