By JOLENE OGLE
FOR six months, nine Green Army foot soldiers have been weeding, seeding and maintaining over 20 sites throughout Noosa Shire as part of a Federal Government program.
On Friday, the team gathered to graduate from the Green Army program that helps people aged between 17 and 24 gain practical training and experience through paid work in the local environment.
Green Army supervisor Duncan Struthers said the program had been a great success in Noosa, with the crew teaming up with local land care groups to help deliver projects.
“The program has had a positive effect on the team,” he said. “They have all moved forward with some heading off to travel, others have found work and some will study.”
Deputy Prime Minister and Member for Wide Bay Warren Truss attended the graduation ceremony on 16 October at Noosa Council Chambers and congratulated the nine participants for their work and achievements throughout the shire.
“When dropping into the unemployment cycle, it can be hard to break,” Mr Truss said.
“Programs like this are great to help train people.”
Green Army graduating member Jean-Luc Tylor said the experience had been rewarding.
“A positive energy flows through the team,” he said. “It’s been a wonderful learning experience and everywhere we’ve gone, we have been extremely welcome.
“We are just humble kids learning our way through life. But through this, we have learnt a lot and achieved a lot. It has opened our eyes to the beauty and complexity of nature.”
Noosa Mayor Noel Playford also attended the ceremony and said Noosa needed more Green Army team members.
“There’s a lot of work to do,” he said.
