Melbourne Work Experience July 17th -22nd

Work Experience at Metropolitan Golf Club

From the 17th to the 22nd of July students in year 11 at Rochester Secondary College attended a work experience camp in Melbourne, which involved students finding work placement in which they were interested in pursuing and working there for a week. 

We stayed at the Claremont Guest House in South Yarra, where students shared rooms with chosen class mates. I worked at Metropolitan Golf Club where I worked as a Greenkeeper with three other of my classmates. We did things like remove dew of the greens of a morning and scraped bunkers to make them look good for an upcoming event. I also got to cut the grass on the putting greens as well as the chipping greens. I learnt what lengths to cut different greens so that the grass wouldn't die and also took record of how much moisture and the firmness of the greens to keep them in good 'knick'. 

My day consisted of waking up at 4.30 am every morning to then catch a train from South Yarra to Huntingdale and then walk 15 mins to the golf course and start at 6 am. The day went on as usual given tasks to do during the morning meeting and then break was at 10 am. We then worked through the afternoon until 2pm and finished the day, to get back to South Yarra we took the same route as we did in the morning. 

Once we arrived back at the hotel we had free time to go out in Melbourne until the set curfew or we had a group activity. Being in Melbourne taught me a lot about life outside school, having to basically fend for myself in the real world and buy things like dinner for myself and supplies that I needed. Overall Melbourne Work Experience was a great time and I strongly recommend it for future students. 

Jordy Bruton

Melbourne Work Experience - William Adams, Caterpillar Dealer

The purpose of going to Melbourne for Work Experience was to 

experience working in the city and city life.

Leaving Rochester on Sunday the 17th of July at 9am and arrived in Melbourne at 12.30pm. In the afternoon all the students had to find their way to their work placement.

Catching a train then a bus to my work place, that was in Clayton.

I was having the week at William Adam, Caterpillar Dealer for Victoria.

Monday morning leaving the Claremont Hotel in South Yarra which was our accommodation for the week. Having an early start leaving at 6.30am and arrived at work at 7.20am.

One of the workers gave me a tour in  the workshop. I was with then paired with a worker fixing an excavator. I also did an oil change on an excavator. I enjoyed working  at Wiliam Adams.

By Hamish Glass

On Sunday the 17th July some nervous, excited students departed Rochester for the week long Work Experience Camp in Melbourne.

Monday morning students were up early and found their own way to work using the public transport system. For some this was the first time using the Myki system.  They then had to ensure they got on the right tram travelling in the right direction. By the end of the week everyone was expert at getting to and from work.

Students attended a variety of work places, including primary schools, diesel mechanics, golf courses, hair dressers, plumbing businesses, fashion and sporting shops and many other places.  Everyone learnt a lot from their experience.

Not only did students work, there were a number of other activities including going to the movies, the Night Market and out for dinner as a whole group. A fabulous week was had by everyone!  A huge thank you to Mr. Callaway, Miss Smith, Mr. Borger and Mrs. Holland for going on the camp.  

Also a big thank you to Mr. Callaway and Mrs. Hooppell for all their work in organising the work placements prior to camp.