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Social enterprise restaurant to provide training for Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal young people |
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| 08 Jul 2009 |
 An innovative and exciting training program for disadvantaged and unemployed youth, with a focus on Aboriginal young people, will be a feature of Charcoal Lane - a unique social enterprise restaurant opened in Fitzroy in today.Charcoal Lane has been developed by Mission Australia with support from the Victorian Government and the Victorian Aboriginal Health Service (VAHS). It combines the social enterprise restaurant with a transitional labour market program designed to empower disadvantaged young people to develop professional and life skills to transition into a successful career in hospitality... Mission Australia State Director Paul Bird said Charcoal Lane is a project that will bring so many positives to the Victorian community. “Not least of these positives is offering young disadvantaged people the opportunity to be trained in a skill that will boost their self-esteem and provide them with a skill they can use wherever they were in Australia or overseas,” Mr Bird said. “The training program, being delivered by William Angliss Institute of TAFE, will enable Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal disadvantaged young people – trainees and apprentices – to develop the professional and life skills needed to transition into a career in hospitality. “Melbourne has an international reputation for its food and wine culture, so being able to deliver training in this area and provide a unique dining experience that celebrates Aboriginal cuisine makes Charcoal Lane an outstanding project that is fully endorsed by the Victorian Government.” Mr Bird said Charcoal Lane offers a high-quality dining experience to discerning Melbournians and interstate and overseas visitors. “It is an opportunity for people to experience Aboriginal culture through food,” Mr Bird said. “Of equal importance is that Charcoal Lane will also provide life skills, work experience, training and pathways into hospitality careers for both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal young people. “Trainees and apprentices who complete their training will be invited to apply for positions at Charcoal Lane and partner employers to further progress their careers in hospitality. Just like Melbourne embraces international cultures and celebrates them through food, Charcoal Lane is about reconciliation and understanding through food.” The historic building at 136 Gertrude Street, Fitzroy, formerly a bank, post office, medical clinic and most recently an Aboriginal health service, has been transformed into a new restaurant and upstairs training kitchen. Charcoal Lane was a significant local meeting place in Victorian Aboriginal history, most recently documented in Aboriginal performer Archie Roach’s 1999 song and album of the same name. The local Aboriginal community suggested to Mission Australia that the restaurant and training program be called Charcoal Lane to reconnect the building with the area’s Aboriginal history. Mission Australia acknowledges the generous support of the Victorian Government, the Victorian Aboriginal Heath Service and the Aboriginal Advisory Group. Charcoal Lane opens to the public for lunches on Tuesday 14 July, with full service expected to be up and running in early August. For advance bookings call: (03) 9418 3400 or visit www.charcoallane.com.au. Media Contact: Phil Smith (03) 8317 0111 or 0407 860 528. Add this page to your favorite Social Bookmarking websites           |
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