As part of her election pledge, Wickham Primary School’s head girl promised to get more bike and scooter racks for the 200 kids who ride to school every day.
The head girl’s father contacted the Roebourne Work Camp to see if they could assist and the Officers were pleased to help bring the head girl’s dream to fruition.
Work Camp Senior Officers said prisoners removed grass and soil at the school and completed preparation for laying a concrete pad.
The prisoners, who are referred to as ‘crew’, designed, fabricated and installed the new bike racks using materials provided by the school.
“The crew gained many skills with this project,” a Senior Officer said.
They learned safety protocols, form work for a concrete pad, metal fabrication, welding and team work.
“The benefits to the community will be extra security for children’s bikes, as well as a positive perception of the work camp and crew.
“The crew gained satisfaction and fulfilment of completing such a great community project.”
Some of the prisoners’ relatives would be among the children making use of the new bike racks, which added to the importance of the project for them.
“Most of the work camp prisoners are making the most of their time here to skill up, taking guidance from our competent and experienced Officers,”said the Senior Officer.
“Some of them also do projects for their families, such as making frames for mirrors, and even jarrah coffee and dining tables. They buy the materials themselves.
“However, the work camp often receive donated materials or collect recycled materials at no cost. For example, we recently acquired a load of old scaffolding timber that is really solid.
“The guys have used a burning tool to burn the surface of the timber to reveal the grain and they’re turning the wood into long meeting tables for a local Aboriginal group.
“We encourage them to take ownership of what they are doing and as a result the quality of work is excellent.”
The Wickham Primary School Principal said he and his staff were so impressed with the workmanship of the first of the bike racks they asked if the crew could make more, as well as a scooter rack.
“I met the crew who made the racks and thanked them,” the Principal said.
“It’s important to give the guys real life projects and we now have a long list of things for them to do including making some tables and pot planters. I think the prisoners walked a bit taller knowing how much we appreciate what they did for us.
“Wickham Primary has great staff and kids within a close-knit community and I’m glad that we’ve established a relationship with the work camp and are promoting the great work they do.”
