VCAL Rail Trail

This year’s VCAL has resumed the association established with the Rail Trial committee in 2004. Back then the focus was on the Balkins Rd. end, clearing wire, eradication of weeds and placing droppers on fences. In the intervening years much development has taken place so that the VCAL students are now tackling more complex tasks. Currently students are installing markers at each crossing point and painting them bright yellow for greater visibility. Already there has been feedback, that this has helped identify the rail trial more clearly. 

Students are also designing and constructing informative signs for the reserve that acknowledge the rail line history through pinpointing its exact location. These are being done on recycled hard wood off cuts to blend with the natural environment and to show good sustainability in practice. A further task involves the construction of occupational crossings to assist farmers with movements of stock and machinery to their adjoining land.

This project is fostering greater community relationships as the rail committee provides specialist knowledge and funding, some of which comes from the Shire of Southern Grampians. It also develops greater collaboration between the Intermediate and Senior VCAL students as they work together on the project. Students clearly are enjoying the opportunity to work with the community as a team in a different environment utilizing interesting and different skills to enhance a worthwhile asset for the community.

Anne Gough

VET/VCAL