GREEN THUMBS: Daniel Wan Lum, Adam Wan Lum, Andrew Uren, Megan Mulquiney, Todd Guy, Rebecca Walkom, Casey Bright and Shelley Sullivan graduated from Orange’s fourth Green Corps yesterday. Photo: STEVE GOSCH
ORANGE'S fourth Green Corps team battled changing weather to improve the city's outdoor recreation areas, according to Orange City Council vegetation coordinator Roger Smith.
Nine members of the Green Corps team graduated yesterday at a small ceremony at the Orange Botanic Gardens.
Mr Smith said the heat had been in the mid-30s when the team began work in February and had dropped to near freezing conditions when the program finished this month.
He said the team had shown great dedication in tough conditions.
"The team constructed a 500 metre-long footpath at Gosling Creek reserve. We allowed three weeks for them to finish it, but they did it in seven days," he said.
"The initiative and drive they showed there set the tone for the rest of the program."
Green Corps, funded by the Federal Government and supported by council, is a six-month work program for 17 to 21 year olds.
It provides general work experience and skills, and each graduating member earns a Certificate I in Conservation and Land Management.
The fourth Green Corps team focused on Gosling Creek Reserve, where it planted trees and built fences.
It also worked on weed control at Lake Canobolas and helped build barbecue stands at Orange Adventure Playground.
Yesterday's ceremony was attended by Nationals Senator for NSW Sandy Macdonald, Member for Orange Russell Turner and Orange Mayor John Davis.
