Twenty-four local people shared their career stories with Benalla’s Year 5 and 6 students at Tomorrow Today’s ‘Living Libraries’ event.
Benalla’s Lakeside Community Centre was a noisy library on Tuesday, August 5 when close to 300 Years 5 and 6 students gathered to hear local professionals speak about their careers.
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For the past three years Tomorrow Today, Benalla’s community foundation, has organised the ‘Living Libraries’ event as part of its Education Benalla Program
Tomorrow Today’s EBP manager Sally Matheson said the event was well attended.
“Living Libraries is a bit like ‘speed dating’ for careers,” she said.
“Our volunteer ‘books’ are local professionals who sit at a table, often bringing with them some items that they use in their day-to-day work, and groups of students move from table to table, to hear each ‘book’ share their story.
“There’s also time for students to ask questions.
“The aim of our Year 5 and 6 careers program is to help students begin to build their career aspiration.
“We want students to broaden their horizons and think about what’s possible for their future. Having real people talk about their own career and what they love about it can be incredibly inspiring for our students.”
This year, 24 local people volunteered their time, representing a comprehensive range of industries including health care, animal care, building and construction, engineering, real estate, information technology, education, surveying, wellbeing, emergency services, creative arts, automotive, agriculture, family services and gliding.
Local GP Dr Gerard Brownstein inspired some of Benalla’s students at Tomorrow Today’s ‘Living Libraries’ event.
Local personal trainer Liesl Visagie, one of the volunteer ‘books’, was enthusiastic about being involved.
“It was so much fun,” she said.
“I loved seeing the reaction on everyone’s faces and the intrigue. They asked good questions as well.”
All of Benalla’s schools with Year 5 and 6 students were invited to attend the event.
Ellie Werner from Australian Christian College said students gained a lot from the experience.
“The morning was absolutely wonderful,” she said.
“The children returned so excited and inspired, which was lovely to see.
“We are hoping to build on this by linking our learning next semester to specific careers, helping the students make meaningful connections and understand the importance of their schooling now.”
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