COLLIE RIVER VALLEY BULLETIN, FEBRUARY 9, 2023 7
Transition brings free skill training
Hart rides for the kids
RIDING for the Perth Children’s Hospital (PCH) was an easy decision for local cyclist Michael Hart. Mr Hart recently completed a six-day, 808-kilometre ride from Newcastle, NSW, to Brisbane, Queensland, as part of the Herbalife Nutrition Foundation bike ride. The ride was to raise money for six organisations, which included PCH. It raised $65,000. Mr Hart and his wife Rhonda said the hospital has helped members of their family, which was the reason for his involvement. Their son, Zac, died in 2013 after battling a brain tumour. He received medical treatment at PCH. “They helped us when we were in need, and now it is time to help others who are in the same situation,” he said. Mrs Hart said the hospital also treated her nephew who suffers cerebral palsy, her niece who had open heart surgery and Mr Hart’s brother, Rodney, who was fitted with prosthetic eyes. Mrs Hart also worked at the hospital when it was known as Princess Margaret Hospital. She worked in the neonatal department and trained as a midwife. Mr Hart said he was among six riders who rode as a group during the six-day marathon. “We rode an average of 120-180 kilometres each day. We would set a certain pace and just ride,” he said. Mr Hart - who is also an avid mountain biker - completed the fundraiser in 2018 and 2020 when the group rode from Torquay to Adelaide. He said it took a lot of training and preparation.
CHARITY RIDE: Local cyclist Michael Hart recently rode 808km to raise money for Perth Children’s Hospital. He is pictured at Lake Kepwari, which was part of his regular training loop from Harris River. “I did my last mountain bike race in October - the Cape2Cape, which is over four days,” he said. “Then I swapped to my road bike and averaged 200-400 km per week in the lead up.” Mr Hart said he regularly rode from his home in Harris River to Lake Kepwari, which is a 45km loop. Some days he would add in a detour to McAlinden. “I would ride at the end of the day after work,” he said. “There was less traffic so it was safer, plus it was cooler in the summer.” Mr Hart said he intends to ride in the fundraiser again next year.
JUST Transition’s 2023 focus is on free training and workforce development for Collie workers, Collie-Preston MLA Jodie Hanns said this week. She said three transition officers working in Collie will run internal training sessions and meet individually with workers within the core industries to be affected by the shutdown of coal-fired power stations. “We are now moving into an exciting phase where workers and the wider Collie community can expect to see great benefits from this in the coming months, particularly with the opening of the new Job Skills Centre, which is a huge milestone,” Mrs Hanns commented. “Each worker will have the opportunity to focus on their future and have a transition plan developed that is personalised to them. “It will look at their existing skills and recognise their expertise and experience – the worker can work one-on-one with the transition officers to tailor their next working chapter based on their own chosen path.” Mrs Hanns said the new centre will significantly expand the support available for local workers, no matter their industry. It includes free career, training, and employment advice, as well as resume preparation for anyone in the community. “Fee-free skills assessments and recognition of prior learning to make the
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best use of workers’ existing skills, and assistance connecting jobseekers with employment opportunities will build a bright future not just for affected workers, but all Collie workers for generations to come,” Mrs Hanns said.
2023 critical year for transition
A MAJOR focus for Just Transition in 2023 will be working to secure large-scale industrial companies in green manufacturing or minerals processing, as well as future clean energy operations, Collie-Preston Jodie Hanns said this week. “We’ll be focusing on attracting those industries – nationally and internationally – and supporting them through the application process,” Mrs Hanns said. “We will be getting the industrial land in Collie ready and fit-for-purpose. “It’s important to put Collie and its workforce on the map. The workers in our region have a rich history of powering our state, and we’re looking to bring industries to town that can offer them a bright and sustainable future. “What happens this year will contribute to how Collie is set for the later years of the transition.” Mrs Hanns said each member of the Just Transition working group is passionate about creating a strong and sustainable future for Collie. “The commitment is long term,” she added.
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