Guest Speakers from Maryborough Education Centre

Twin speakers, Mr Barney Healey, Principal of MEC , and Mr Terry Hillyer, Manager Later years Program, tag-teamed the Guest Speakers role this week. (Shown here on the right, with a clutch of other teacher types at the Meeting; with the WW1 Tech School Honour Roll)

They spoke of the development of the single MEC campus, built from the original 5 school sites in Maryborough. It has been a major task integrating the schools, and particularly the various cultures into one campus/culture, while addressing the disconnect from the local community and support base.
They spoke with passion and pride of the accomplishments, during the past 10 years, in creating a calm learning environment, where students have become more engaged with staff and the local community.
Feedback from students, the community, and professionals has confirmed the direction and degree of progress.
One especial program, the Beacon Program, has been important in networking students with the community, by holding breakfasts, dinners, work-place visits, and workshops. These have helped young people build their “brands”, with improved skills, grooming and presentation .
The speakers reassured Rotarians that our investments in scholarships was worthwhile and much appreciated. They fit as part of incentivisation, and the recognition of student  achievement .
They also encouraged us to promote our various Rotary  programs to students by visiting the School, and  speaking at daily assemblies.