Nurturing passion

With a strong background in campaigning, La Trobe University student and teacher Lizzie Nicholson is now nurturing the next generation of young environmental activists at Weeroona College.

By Brittany Carlson - Photograph by Leon Schoots

Lizzie Nicholson’s staunch desire to make the world a better place developed while she was studying a bachelor’s degree in geography, learning about land and the environment. “A large part of what we were studying was disasters and things going on in the world that were an issue. I really felt like I needed an outlet to do something about it.” While pursuing further study in this field, Lizzie began campaigning for her education provider to withdraw its investment in fossil fuel companies. As a result of her important work, Lizzie was elected as the environmental officer at the Student Union, where she ran workshops and upskill programs to help others become better activists. “My job was to support all of the campaigns and the collectives that we had as part of that department. I really enjoyed the upskilling, creating a community and empowering people.” Lizzie found a strong sense of community in her environmental officer role and enjoyed helping people reach their full potential. It wasn’t long before she figured out a way to combine her strong sense of social justice with a career that really makes a difference in the lives of others – teaching. Needing to complete further study to realise her dream, Lizzie applied for the Nexus program at La Trobe University. Nexus is a pathway into secondary teaching that allows students to study and work in a school at the same time. It aims to place selected teaching candidates into economically and culturally diverse, and hard-to-staff schools in Melbourne and in regional and rural Victoria. Lizzie says she applied for the Nexus program because it had a strong element of social justice as part of the criteria and course. “I had been looking into teaching and I stumbled across Nexus. It was a new program and it sounded really unique,” she says. In their first year, students work part-time in schools and receive direct mentoring opportunities and professional development. Second-year Nexus participants become full-time paraprofessionals in their school, with a 0.8 teaching load and their own class while they study.

“Being in the Nexus program has been a massive help in terms of support getting through the course itself,” she says. “Having a relationship with people who are there to help problem solve, and check in with, is really beneficial. “Also, having a cohort of people who are doing the same thing as you, with a similar perspective on teaching, is nice too.” Lizzie says making the move from Melbourne to Bendigo was tough, especially during lockdowns when she was unable to get to Queensland to see her parents, but the community helped her settle in. “Feeling like a part of the community is what I love about being here and teaching here. Going out for a walk and running into people you know – that obviously doesn’t happen in the city.” Lizzie is currently teaching English and humanities to years seven, eight and nine students at Weeroona College in Bendigo, and is bringing her history of activism into the classroom. She is helping kids who are passionate about the environment roll out sustainable practices in the school. “I have had the chance to support a student who is kind of like me when I was at university – always thinking about issues but not knowing where to start. You could tell she really cared deeply about what was going on in the world, but didn’t have an obvious avenue. “So, I encouraged her to join the Student Representative Council – and then we put together a proposal to develop a student action group. “Now we’ve got a few members and we’re going to start doing something about waste at school. We’re trying to encourage people to be more mindful about what they use – plastics and things like that.” Lizzie enjoys this link to her old activism days and says this is one of the reasons she loves education. “I have been able to use some of my experience to help my students who are passionate about the environment to really make a difference. “I’m not interested in being the leader of an activism group again; I’m more interested in just supporting young people to become citizens of the world. I think that’s an important part of a good education.”

Amelia, Karmen and Matilda Psaila Julie Scollary and Leanne Vandermeer

HEATHCOTE DRAWS THE CROWDS

Each month, the Heathcote Bush Market is the place for locals and visitors to meet up for a chat and a chance to bag a bargain.

November’s market again offered many choices, with stalls filled with homebaked goods, local produce, crafts, plants and bric-a-brac.

Rebecca Niclasen and Maeve Bowman

Tristan, Lyn and Gabby Hough The Bendigo Evening View Club

Bilby, Chelsea and Foxie

wish it, dream it, do it

COMPLETE YOUR HOME WITH YOUR OWN PERSONAL TOUCH

Chris Jacobs and Pete Fidler - The Quarry Hillbillies Claire Moore and Vic Say

Sashi, Lewis and Sylvan

Uncle Rick Nelson and Uncle Ron Murray Tameka and Annie Morabito

Walter King, Jo Corrigan and Matthew Donnelly

FARMERS MARKET ALWAYS POPULAR

For 16 years, the Castlemaine Farmers Market has been supporting farmers and providing fresh, local food to the region.

It’s a popular drawcard for the town each month, with family and friends always keen to discover the latest in food, wine and locally made products.

Vocational learning at BSSC

Pathways to employment & training

VET Hospitality VET Engineering

Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses at BSSC give students the opportunity to gain a nationally recognised, industry qualification, build their prospects for future employment and training, or enhance their pathway to university. The college offers a range of Certificate II and III level courses, with opportunities to undertake on the job training through Structured Workplacement and School Based Apprenticeships. VET subjects can count towards the VCE or VCAL in the same way as other subjects. The range of VET courses available at BSSC include everything from Automotive to Allied Health — Engineering to Hospitality — Hair & Beauty to Agriculture — Hospitality to Digital Media — Business to Outdoor Recreation... and so much more.

BSSC VET programs are taught in cutting edge training facilities, with a mix of on-site and off-site locations.

VET Outdoor Recreation

CONTACT US Bendigo Senior VET Allied HealthSecondary College Rosalind Park, Bendigo PO Box 545, Bendigo VIC 3552 Phone 61 3 5443 1222 Fax 61 3 5441 4548 Email admin@bssc.edu.au Web www.bssc.edu.au

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