This year the theme is Water and Food Security.  Please take the time to buzz around the website to learn more about the global issues surrounding water.   Click here for more information.

A group of ten jobseekers who helped restore the Maroochy River following the devastation of the 2011 floods have been honoured for their work on a State Government funded job skills project.

 Maroochy Waterwatch, a Nambour based non-profit organisation, engaged, trained and supervised the workers for a project involving flood mitigation and restoration of the Maroochy River and its catchments.

 The project has now trained and prepared 20 unemployed people for work through two 21 week job skills projects.

 A Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation (DEEDI) spokesperson said the project was part of the Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative which gives unemployed and underemployed people job related assistance and skills training.

 “This was an important project that has helped restore a beautiful part of Queensland and helped the area recover and move on from the devastating floods of January 2011,” the spokesperson said.

 “The work these people did has also equipped them with skills to work in nurseries and in revegetation and environmental sectors.

 “The group worked at a range of sites including Nambour, Eudlo, Woombye, Hunchy and Coolum – all areas that encompassed tributaries of the Maroochy River.

 “The main site they worked on was at the Petrie Creek Canelands rehabilitation site at Bli Bli.”

  CEO of Maroochy Waterwatch Cerran Fawns said the project was successful for a number of reasons.

 “It was a privilege to have the opportunity to be able to change people’s lives and help Queenslanders reach their employment potential whilst looking after the environment after the floods of 2011,” Ms Fawns said.

 “From the project four participants have already found employment in various industries.”

 Project participant Malika Van Herberghen said the project had helped her develop skills in the area in which she wants to work.

 ”This project has helped me to develop my passion and understanding of natural processes while gaining hands on skills in the environmental and management industries,” Malika said.

 Another participant, Hannah Lewis, said: “It was great exploring different aspects of the environmental industry with opportunities to explore different career paths than my past retail experiences allowed”.

 The Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative is part of the State Government’s $1 billion Queensland Skills Plan which aims to provide individuals and industry with the skills and workforce for the 21^st Century.

 Twelve months after receiving assistance 67 per cent of participants from the program are either in employment or further training.

 For more information on the Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative visit www.employment.qld.gov.au or call 1300 369 925.

  Photo caption: Project participants (from left) Jason Hancock, Isiah Beezley, Margrit Rechsteiner, Damon Nomad, Nicole Jean, Hannah Lewis, Malika Van Herberghen.

The annual Waterwatch Christmas Party will on the 23rd December at 12 noon at Olsen Mill Park, Corlis Ave, Eudlo.  BBQ lunch will be provided.  Bring a chair.  RSVP by Wed 21st Dec.  We hope to see you there.