The impressive new herringbone tongue and groove ceiling in the Wild Mountains main hall is an ode to teamwork and community.
Students helped build it through a partnership between Wild Mountains Trust, a non-profit environmental education centre near Rathdowney, and Beaudesert High.
The project was supported through $20,000 Wild Mountains secured under Round 1 of Council’s Community Grants Program 2021-2022.
About 10 year 12 students have spent four days on it so far and the school is looking to take some year 11 students to complete the project.
Beaudesert High Industry Liaison Officer Melissa Frazer said it was a valuable opportunity.
“All the students enjoyed themselves and learnt a great deal from being on a real job site. To be able to look back on their completed work is rewarding for all, I know I was so proud of what they had achieved,” she said.
“The ceiling is gorgeous. It’s like a piece of art and I feel so privileged our school was able to be a part of not only the project but giving to our community. I think it’s important, especially in a small community, to all work together to reach common goals. It’s been a fantastic learning experience and we are all winners from this project – Wild Mountains, Beaudesert State High School and most of all our students.”
Wild Mountains co-founder Richard Zoomers said the main hall was built 15 years ago.
“Over that time, we decided not to take the easy path but rather go with traditional tongue and groove boards in a herringbone pattern found in old cathedrals,” he said.
“Covid, staff shortages and holidays delayed the project for many months. Led by builder Rob Peagram, the project has provided work training and skills for the students. They have contributed to a beautiful and stunning addition to this communal space.
“While I had some reservations about just how the students might perform, I needn’t have worried. They were fantastic showing great commitment, focus and skill in getting this job over the line.
“A huge thanks to Justin Hills for volunteering his skills and to builders Dan Smith and Samuel Schott for loaning scaffolds for the project.
“Thanks also to the Beaudesert High staff, Melissa Frazer, Jasen Johnson, Sami Pyyvaara and Amanda Johnson for providing this opportunity for their students.”
