Year 12 students from Lakes Entrance Secondary College have combined their academic studies with community service, raising an impressive $1000 to help build the town’s new fire station.
As part of their VCE Vocational Major (VM) Unit 3 curriculum, the senior students spent the past month volunteering alongside the Lakes Entrance Lions Club, taking charge of the heavy lifting for the club’s weekly
community bingo nights.
The students’ commitment to setting up and packing down the popular events not only threw a lifeline to the local Lions volunteers but successfully drove a fundraising windfall. The full $1000 proceeds have been officially handed over to the Lakes Entrance Fire Brigade to bolster ongoing fundraising efforts for their future station headquarters.
The hands-on project was designed to take learning out of the classroom and drop students into real-world environments, pushing them to hone practical interpersonal skills, teamwork, and localised leadership.
Following their final bingo shift, the student cohort toured the Lakes Entrance Fire Station to formally present the cheque and meet face-to-face with local CFA volunteers to learn about the logistics of regional emergency management.
Lakes Entrance Secondary College acting principal Daniel Clark said the initiative perfectly showcased how practical learning can yield tangible outcomes for a regional town.
“Our VCE VM students have shown great initiative and commitment throughout this project,” Mr Clark said.
“Not only have they contributed to two important community organisations, but they have also developed valuable life skills and gained a deeper appreciation for the role volunteers play in our community.”
The college extended its thanks to both the Lions Club for mentoring the students on the floor and the CFA volunteers for opening their doors to share their operational experiences with the next generation.
