A group of Margaret River high school students are getting first hand event management experience this week at the Drug Aware Margaret River Pro Trials and the Healthy Habitz Youth Activation Festival.
Create a free account to read this article
or signup to continue reading
Read more:
Students studying Certificate III in Event Management spent Tuesday morning going behind the scenes at Western Australia's largest international event, while local surfers battled it out at Mainbreak for a place as a wildcard.
The integrated group of Year 11 and 12s is lead by Amanda Gradisen, who brought the concept to life three years ago.
"Equipping our kids with multidisciplinary skills across the event space is really exciting, and a great opportunity," Ms Gradisen said.
One of these opportunities is working with Surfing WA at the Margaret River event site where the students were shown around the various components that make up the event, chatting with key personnel and receiving insight along the way.
Students have shown interest in a wide variety of job opportunities including broadcasting and photography.
Equipping our kids with multidisciplinary skills across the event space is really exciting, and a great opportunity.
- Amanda Gradisen
James Ransley is interested in the commentary component and he has put himself forward to MC at the upcoming Healthy Habitz Youth Festival.
Fellow student, Hannah Wenman, will be behind the lens, her passion for photography will see her taking photos of the variety of activities on offer.
"Putting theoretical learning into real life practice is what is driving the students."
From May 3 to 7, the Healthy Habitz Youth Festival will take place at the Margaret River Youth Precinct and Skate Park.
Working alongside Surfing WA, students will help deliver and manage the various activities which include a 3-on-3 basketball competition, a 2 star Australian Sports Foundation-sanctioned skate event and a climbing wall.
Blending their local environment with the opportunity to work in an international event will challenge and showcase the students skill sets.
Ms Gradisen said it was great to see young locals being included and welcomed to the Margaret River Pro.
"Surfing WA has been awesome mentoring our kids and giving them an opportunity to see events from another angle," she said.
"It's a really approachable context; it's a really friendly vibe and it's perfect for our age of kids."
For more information on the festival and other Surfing WA news, visit www.facebook.com/surf.westernaustralia
