The Hawkesdale P-12 College year six leadership team has developed a free community street library where people can read, leave, borrow or swap books and play board games.

Student Tom Morrison, 12, said the library would encourage people to take time out to read or play a game, improving their mental health and well being.

“The people at the park might get bored and sick of the playground so we thought we’d put some books and board games in there for them to play,” Noah Cameron, 11, said.  

Assistant principal John Ralph said it was a great example of the students giving back to the local community, while also recognising and promoting literacy as a vital skill.

“It’s also about these students working together as a team, learning about community engagement and giving something back to their community in a really authentic way,” Mr Ralph said. 

The park, on the Penshurst - Warrnambool Road, offers free camping and attracts national and international visitors travelling to and from the Great Ocean Road and the Grampians. 

The project was developed following the Student Leaders Congress in March which encouraged regional students to lead a project to solve a health and wellbeing problem in their community.