Meet Victor
Can you tell us your name, age, and where you’re from?
Victor, 17, Nambucca
What was life like before you started at ShoreTrack?
I was probably in the wrong crowd and doing dumb stuff that I shouldn’t have. It was hard for me.
How did you first hear about ShoreTrack, and what made you want to give it a go?
When I was in year 8, I was in a lot of trouble at school. They offered for me to go to ShoreTrack and I decided to take the opportunity.
What do you do at ShoreTrack – can you walk us through a typical day?
I normally get picked up about 8:10 then we pick up the other kids. We get to the shed, have a bit of breakfast and a talk. We do a thing called circlework were we rate how we’re feeling from 1-10, then we get a riddle going before we go off to do our task. We come back, have lunch, work some more then clean up the shed and go home.
What’s a project or job you’re really proud of?
Concreting a driveway in Nambucca. I was really happy with how it turned out. It was good learning that and I always wanted to see how it felt to learn concreting.
How have you changed since starting at ShoreTrack?
I feel like I’m a better person. It makes me feel good to get up in the morning to come in to ShoreTrack and help others.
What has ShoreTrack helped you realise about yourself?
That it’s good to be a positive person and help out others. I like to work in the community too, it feels good to know my community.
What are your goals now – short-term or long-term?
I want to try and get a secure a good job in a year. I also want to stay here help the younger kids.. teach them the ways I got taught.
Do you have a dream job or something you’d love to pursue?
When I was a kid – motorbike riding. Now, probably building skyscrapers. Every time I go to QLD I like to go to the top of the buildings.
What would you say to someone who’s in the same place you were before you joined?
I’d say don’t go down the wrong path. From what I learned… it gets you in way more trouble than you think and it goes on for years. Keep a good small group of friends and encourage each other to make good choices.
What do you wish more people knew about ShoreTrack?
It’s a good environment for people to come in and have a look around. We are all respectful when new kids come in. It’s a good environment for others to be around and learn new things.
Can you finish this sentence? “Because of ShoreTrack, I…”
I’ve learnt to control myself in good ways and to be a positive influence on others.
Meet Matari
What is your name and age?
Matari Pritchard. I’m 16
Where do you live?
In Macksville with my mum and sisters.
What do you love doing on the weekend?
I love playing footy. I play for Macksville Sea Eagles under 18’s and Bowra Tigers under 16s. After footy, I usually hang out with my friends.
What’s something new you have been doing this year?
I’ve recently been employed by ShoreTrack as a trainee 3 days a week and I’m completing my Certificate II in Agriculture. I’m interested in getting a trade.
How long have you been at ShoreTrack?
I’ve been there for 2 years. When I was at school, I went to ShoreTrack 2 days a week and completed year 10 the other 3 days. I’m glad I had ShoreTrack to break up the school week.
What do you like doing there?
Learning to drive the Zero-turn and the excavator and any of the other machines we might be using for a job. Any of the jobs that get me out of the shed.
How did you find school?
School wasn’t for me. I was getting in trouble and not going to class much. I hated sitting in a classroom all day and learning that way. I think I learn better by doing things.
How has ShoreTrack helped you at school?
I was excited to go to ShoreTrack for 2 days a week so school didn’t feel like it was my only thing.
If you think back to the Matari that started at ShoreTrack 2 years ago to the Matari now, what’s changed?
Heaps. I When I started at ShoreTrack I was 15 years old, Since then, I have proven that I am a good worker and keen to learn new things so ShoreTrack wanted to employ me. As a trainee I am a role model for the younger people who come and can show them the ropes. I’ve learnt heaps of new skills like driving the excavator, welding, and fencing. Other things I’ve learnt that are important in a workplace like safety, time management, teamwork and how to work in a professional environment.
Would you recommend ShoreTrack to other young people and why?
Yes definitely for people that feel like school isn’t for them and they want to learn but get out of the classroom.
Meet Timmy Wilson
Tim Wilson contacted ShoreTrack in 2021 asking for help as he was struggling at school. He found it hard to be engaged and was experiencing bulling from other students. After negotiating with his local high school, Tim started attending ShoreTrack 4 days per week.
Tim was always keen to start work and with ST staff organised a number of different work experience opportunities to see what he liked.
He worked hard at the ST shed to develop his skills including welding, carpentry , small engine maintenance, lawn maintenance and hospitality, and over time he became a leader and mentor for the younger participants. Tim has now secured an apprenticeship at Hemmingway Bar and Grill in Nambucca Heads studying Cert III in Commercial Cookery.
Tim was always keen to be involved in community projects including volunteering at the Bowraville Sports Hub with local experiences plasterers, concretors and carpenters to give back to community and build a skills base.
Tim is involved in local sports especially Rugby League which he loves, trains hard for to stay fit and competitive for himself and him team. At 16 he has already achieved success in his sport.
Tim would always put his hand to volunteer after hours for ShoreTrack including the ROTARY Westpac Helicopter Fundraiser where he and Jacob sold $600.00 worth of raffle tickets for the Rescue Helicopter. They also promoted ShoreTrack through their positive attitude, teamwork and friendly manner.
We are very proud of how Tim has grown to be the young man he is now.
Meet Jacob Bellden
Written by Jacob Bellden
What is ShoreTrack?
It is a community-based charity organisation that helps young people gain skills for the workplace. To me, it’s a place that is welcoming to anyone who needs help to gain both workplace and social skills and to help become a better person altogether.
It has been nearly a year since I started coming to ShoreTrack. Since then, I’ve become a much better version of myself that I might not have become if not for the caring staff of this group. When I was first introduced to ShoreTrack I found myself uncertain and intimidated by the idea of coming for two days a week. But as I started coming, I slowly left my shell and found that my perception was completely off. I started learning a multitude of skills for both the workplace and everyday life.
After two months I asked if I could come more than two days a week and nearly eight months later, I come four to five days a week and enjoy every minute of it. Not only do I still learn things, but I can pass it on to others who want to learn.
ShoreTrack is a great environment for anybody and everybody to come, learn something new and help out the community. The people are wonderful and what they do is amazing.
Written as part of the ShoreTrack Youth Voice and Literacy project in collaboration with Community Newsletters. Please see full article below.
Meet Patrick
Is there anything unusual or special about your life?
Sort of. I have been going to ShoreTrack instead of normal school since August last year. Me and school never really got on. I couldn’t do the work. Got bored a lot and used to muck around at the back of the room with me mates. I guess I was a real pain for the teachers. I wagged a lot.
When did the work get too hard?
For as long as I can remember I really wasn’t much good at reading. I couldn’t copy from the board or a book cos I kept on losing my place. I hated sitting still at a desk.
I used to feel really dumb and stupid.
What is different about going to ShoreTrack?
It is all hands on. You’re not just hanging around and playing about. You actually learn stuff. We have a new bloke who has only been here a real short time and already I learnt heaps from him.
What hands on things do you do?
Mostly mowing, welding, painting, carpentry, automotive and some gardening. The main boss does a lot for us. He has taught me how to fix things. He’s a good bloke. I really don’t just want to go to work. I want to go somewhere where you learn.
Can you tell us a bit about your home life?
I live with my Dad and Aunty (dad’s sister). I really love my dad. He works hard every day. He understood how much I hated school.
My mum is really special too. I love her heaps. She and dad split up when I was little. She moved back to Western Australia. She rings me every night.
Is there something you really like about ShoreTrack?
Yeah. Everyone is treated the same. The first time I went there, Fatty (that’s the boss). just came up to me and started chatting to me. He shows us how to work together.
Has ShoreTrack changed you?
Now I am in a routine of waking up and getting ready for work. I really like that. I never used like talking to people. I was a bit shy. Now I am more confident talking to people. I even enjoy meeting new people
Anything you would like to add?
If you want a place where you are safe and appreciated, then go to ShoreTrack. You will learn lots of things you didn’t know before.
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