I have been wanting for some time to join a group of students on a Thursday afternoon for a wood work session.
Two men from the Tatura Men’s Shed kindly give the boys, about ten of them, class for one hour on handy skills, to be creative, use of power tools, and generally the use of their hands.
Yesterday, I had the opportunity join them. I showed them two rocking horses that I had made and explained how I went about it – what materials, use of templates and the construction of a rocking horse.
I really ‘feel’ for these boys who obviously have a yearning for a trade but the opportunities are not there today.
I was no good at a secondary school but at year 7 I was sent to a technical school. My marks improved and I was enjoying my school days at long last. Those two years were enough to set me on the path to what I wanted to do and where was my calling – to do a trade – to become an electrician.
I hope the initiative of Sacred Heart School, Kate Dainton, the two men from the Tatura Men’s Shed will help to guide these boys as to where is their calling in life, and if it is a trade – it is a great way to go.
Fr Michael Morley
