Green Corps bridging the gap

Although the creek was dry, their handiwork stood impressively before those gathered for the graduation ceremony.

For six months the seven members were involved in a range of activities and experiences that revolved around environmental restoration and preservation.

Orange City Council vegetation co-ordinator Roger Smith said he was pleased with the work completed by the seven members.

"The team has built a pedestrian bridge that joins a network of walking tracks at Gosling Creek to the track to Lake Canobolas," he said.

The Green Corps is a Federal Government youth development and environmental training program for young people aged 17-20.

Designed to promote the contribution of young people, the project is run under the guidance of council.

Graduate Paul Hepworth, 19, originally worked in a restaurant before joining the Green Corps.

"I guess I just wanted to have a new experience," he said. "Now I have so many new skills and I feel a real sense of achievement."

"From here I am planning on joining the army."

Fellow graduate Alex Christain, 20, said the experience had been invaluable.

"I was originally looking for outside work and so I decided to join the Green Corps," he said.

he hopes to retain work with the council now that the six month program has finished.

"The thing I liked best wasn't necessarily part of the program," he said. "But it would have to be the camaraderie we had."