Project helps school reflect on young lives lost too soon

By Alex Sinnottand David Towler
Updated November 7 2012 - 11:19am, first published August 26 2008 - 12:29pm
Terang College students Brett Molan (left), 18, and Paul McSween, 18, are working on a 35-metre long boardwalk of reflection in memory of the school's road accident victims. 080826AM01Picture: ANGELA MILNE
Terang College students Brett Molan (left), 18, and Paul McSween, 18, are working on a 35-metre long boardwalk of reflection in memory of the school's road accident victims. 080826AM01Picture: ANGELA MILNE

IT is said the years spent at school are the best of our lives.But some of those young faces in class photos never get the chance to find out.In recent years Terang College has lost three of its students to road tragedies.Now, two VCAL students at the school, Paul McSween and Brett Molan, have started a special project to ensure the names of those who have died - and the vital lessons of road safety - are passed on to students in the generations to follow.They will lead a school-based apprenticeship project to build a 35-metre treated pine boardwalk as a memorial to students and their families who have been affected by the road toll. Part of an extensive redevelopment of a wetlands area within the school grounds, it will become a peaceful place of reflection.VCAL co-ordinator Narelle Holliday said the project was the idea of year 9 student Laura Elford and had the enthusiastic support of staff, students and the school council."We've lost three students to road trauma over the past three years and I think the idea of a memorial has been popular around the school," Ms Holliday said. Ms Holliday said that Terang College will hold a dinner on September 10 to raise money for the boardwalk's construction.Author of Filthy Rat, an insight into police corruption and Melbourne's gangland wars, former detective Sergeant Simon Illingsworth will be the main speaker. Tickets are on sale from the college office.

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