The Old Beechworth Gaol courtyard will come alive with young people motivated to do good in the world, when it is converted to a Market Place on Friday as part of the Social Enterprise in Schools (SEiS) program School Awards Day.
The Australian Centre for Rural Entrepreneurship (ACRE) and the Social Enterprise Academy Australia’s SEiS program is now in its second year and has been inspiring students in 18 schools across Victoria from Wodonga to Porepunkah and Mooroopna.
ACRE’s Program Manager, Peter Sacco said the Awards Day recognises the achievements of the students and the entrepreneurial, leadership and global citizenship skills they have developed throughout the year.
“Setting up their social enterprises as market stalls allows the primary and secondary students to explain what they have achieved and learnt to other students, teachers, community members and special guests. It also gives them the opportunity to raise awareness of the social cause they are supporting,” Mr Sacco said.
The following schools will be in the Market Place:
• Borinya Community Partnership (hexagonal shelves – and online store)
• Porepunkah Primary School – Alpine Pooper Doopers (garden cow poo fertilizer)
• Mooroopna Primary School (café)
• Cathedral College Wangaratta (Orange Sunrise drinks)
• St Joseph’s Primary School Beechworth (Historical town tours)
• GoTafe – Wangaratta – (various enterprises eg: Jordon’s Indigenous socks, pet tags, t-shirts and beanies)
• Whitfield Primary School – (Car wash Café)
Two St Joseph’s Primary School students will perform the Master of Ceremonies duties for the Awards presentation and share their experience of taking part in the program.
“We are really thrilled to have so much youth and enthusiasm in the gaol courtyard as the School Awards Day is part of ACRE and SEA Australia activating the gaol as a site for youth entrepreneurship.
“It’s amazing to have the students experience the community support for their initiatives too, with the Beechworth Rotary Club cooking the barbecue and Bendigo Bank sponsoring food and drinks.
“We invite community members to attend and support the students.”
People interested in the program are invited to attend the Market Place and awards ceremony which runs from 11am to 1pm on Friday, 8 December.