Students at Elizabeth Park Primary School who were devastated by a school arson attack are now set to celebrate the opening of a new and welcoming front entrance and school gathering point, thanks to the work of a group of jobseekers.

The Mission Australia Elizabeth Park Primary Rejuvenation Work for the Dole project has seen a group of 20 jobseekers working on the school for the past six months, to give it a new look and help restore the sense of pride and belonging felt by students, staff, parents and the wider community.

“It’s been a great local project to be involved in,” Mission Australia’s State Manager Mark Herselman said.

“The school has been gradually rebuilt in the last few years after a devastating arson attack in 2001, but the majority of funds had to go into school buildings and new equipment,” he said. “Our Work for the Dole team has been able to put in some finishing touches that help make the school safer and more attractive.”

The Elizabeth Park School Rejuvenation Project is set to be officially ‘opened’ by Member for Wakefield David Fawcett and Mr Herselman on Thursday, March 8, at 2.30 pm. (Media please see note below for photo/interview opportunities)

The Work for the Dole team established a new meeting point for the children to gather under a gazebo at the front of the school and the erection of a flag pole to demonstrate school pride. The participants also rejuvenated the front entrance, with landscape, revegetation, irrigation, paving and building a retaining garden wall.

Funded by the Australian Government, the Work for the Dole project involves unemployed people aged 18-40 years who have been looking for work for more than six months, assisting them to gain valuable skills across a range of areas.

The Elizabeth Park project helped improve participants to develop handyperson skills and expertise in fencing, gardening, landscaping, water conservation, building maintenance and painting.

Media please note: a photo opportunity can be organised with some of the Work for the Dole participants and students and staff at Elizabeth Park ahead of the official opening , either on the day of the official opening or ahead of it.

For more information, please contact:
Chris Rann, Rann Communication on (08) 8211 7771

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