Age is no barrier when it comes to learning – just ask Tom Driscoll.
Last year, the 84-year-old Werribee resident was one of 80 people to graduate from Wyndham council’s community leadership program, Wyndham’s Building Blocks, run in conjunction with Victoria University.
Graduates are supported to plan and deliver community projects, which include a men’s wellbeing support group for retired or unemployed men, a peer mentoring and homework program to improve children’s literacy skills, and a program to connect new parents in the Tarneit area.
Building Blocks graduates learn skills including project planning, grant-writing, governance and event management.
A retired firefighter, Mr Driscoll acted as a mentor for a Wyndham elders oral history project, designed to engage older residents through interviews and using publications to record oral histories of the municipality.
Mr Driscoll said it was rewarding to be involved in a project to benefit the community.
“It makes you feel good to be part of something like this, especially as so many people of all ages and different walks of life took part.”
New recruits can now sign on for this year’s program, which includes free 10-week courses for people interested in developing Truganina and those wanting to help the community prepare, respond and recover from emergencies.
Employment, education and training portfolio holder Cr Heather Marcus said Building Blocks developed leadership skills by mentoring and supporting participants to create new community projects.
“For many people last year, it was their first experience of formalised learning since leaving high school,” Cr Marcus said.
Applications close on January 30.
Contact Nicole Battle on 8734 1318 or at nicole.battle@wyndham.vic.gov.au.
