VCE VM

On Monday 25th of March the Year 12 VM Work Related Skills class visited Trades Hall in Melbourne. We started the day by visiting the Eight-Hour-Day Monument, which commemorates the eight-hour working day, introduced on 21 April 1856. The tour of Trades Hall started outside the building where we learnt about Zelda D'Aprano, a woman who fought for equal pay for women in the 1960s by chaining herself to the doors of the Commonwealth Building. We then toured the historic building and learnt about the role of advocacy organisations such as unions in protecting employee rights. The main staircase in the building was very interesting, as the bluestone flooring was worn down by years of trades unionist's boots, as well as bullet holes in the wall from a burglary in 1915 and chips out of the stairs where a keg of beer was rolled down during a celebration.

We then listened to a presentation on workers rights, entitlements and discrimination in the workplace. Any young person concerned about any of these issues in their own workplace can seek free legal help from the Young Workers Centre. Visit youngworkers.org.au or call 1800 714 754.

This reflection was provided by Year 12 VM students, Tehmarny, Taua, Pandora, Aaron, 

Bailey and Tyler. Well done!