IF YOU had to paint what makes you happy now, and in the future, what would you paint?
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This is what the Wimmera Southern Mallee Local Learning and Employment Network asked of 10 Horsham College McKenzie Creek campus year seven and eight students.
Their answers are painted on skateboards and on display in the foyer of Horsham Regional Art Gallery.
The exhibition is the brainchild of Sam Flaherty, a project officer with the LLEN who created the program, known as the DeckHeads project.
"I've seen similar ideas in other areas - like people designing skateboards and having them up in galleries - but they haven't focused around the themes we worked with here," he said.
"The students' interpretation was really unique. We had one who wanted to break his deck in half and put it back together, which was his way of saying even though he's had some bad experiences he can pick himself up and be whole again.
"A lot were looking towards the future. We have one student who wants to play AFLW one day, another wants to be a gamer. I did one skateboard myself, because I wanted to participate.
"I'm hoping I can roll this out into schools in the wider region."
Mr Flaherty is also co-ordinator of the MATES Mentoring Program. He thanked the gallery for its support of the project.
"I hope it makes the students feel like they have a sense of identity in the community, and pride and self-satisfaction they can design something," he said.
Celia Fairley, co-ordinator of the McKenzie Creek program, said DeckHeads had allowed the students to reflect on positive aspects of their lives.
"Positive psychology tells us that the practice of appreciating the good things in our lives can build our happiness," she said.
"The highly individualised nature of this project has encouraged students to take ownership and guide the direction of their interaction with the adult mentors involved through the Connecting the Service Puzzle program."
The 11 skateboards remain on display until Friday. About 40 people attended the launch on August 30.
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Alexander Darling
Alexander has been a member of the Wimmera Mail-Times' editorial team since December 2018, covering politics, business and property among other rounds. He is a passionate St.Kilda and rock and roll fan, and has previously worked as a radio reporter in Port Macquarie and Gosford, NSW.
Alexander has been a member of the Wimmera Mail-Times' editorial team since December 2018, covering politics, business and property among other rounds. He is a passionate St.Kilda and rock and roll fan, and has previously worked as a radio reporter in Port Macquarie and Gosford, NSW.
