From the Garage 

The new year is under way and work is about to begin in earnest in the garage. Both elective classes are at capacity and ten students are undertaking the VET Automotive programme at GYC. For the greater majority of students in the elective classes this is their first time undertaking the course with only a handful repeating from last year. In the first few weeks they have completed a workshop induction, some basis training in tools and fasteners, and have completed the obligatory safety tasks.

Now the work begins! Some theory will be needed but most will be on the job training where they can be hands on to develop their skills. Keeping work up to them will be a challenge. To this point the Powered Equipment class have been repairing a couple of lawnmowers, have commenced repairing the cutting deck of the Kioti mower, disassembled the gearbox from the cutting deck of the Ford mower, and repaired a leaf blower and hedge trimmer. Undoubtably these types of repairs will continue throughout the year as part of our core business.

While these tasks have been going on, other students have been continuing with our current major projects, these being the customisation of a 1972 Ford F100 and a 1941 Ford truck.

These projects commenced at the end of 2019 and proceeded throughout 2020. Both vehicles have been stripped to their bare shell and chassis and a plan has been devised for each of them. Most of the parts have been collected and work has commenced to bring them back to life. We do still need a few parts so if anyone knows the whereabouts of the following let us know:

A rear diff centre for a 41 Ford truck or something suitable for a 3 to 5 ton truck

A turbo exhaust manifold for a BA, BF or FG Barra motor

Next week we will provide a detailed overview of the projects and what we hope to achieve over the next year or so. There will be many challenges and everyone involved will learn many new skills, especially with problem solving and overcoming set backs. It will be worth it in the end!