Inverell Green Army disbands with regret and excitement

“It’s sad, but it’s exciting,” member Will Germany said.

The project had a wrap-barbecue on Friday at Best Food Garden to celebrate their six month team effort.

Best Employment won the tender to locally support the Green Army program that employs youth from ages 17 to 24.

The eight young people worked daily from 9am to 3.30pm each week under the guidance of Green Army supervisor Darrell Priest.

They planted about 500 trees at the Inverell Transfer Station, and assisted at Best Tree Tenders.

Most of the local young people came on board when they were looking for work.

“You just had to do and interview with Best Employment and then they ring you and told you whether you’d got a job,” Kayla Fermor said.

“I was looking for work and Jobs Australia suggested I try this out, and I saw (BEST social programs co-ordinator) Danny (Middleton) for a job interview and he rang me three or four days later,” Harley Moore said.

There was practically no attrition rate for the group, with only one member dropping out due to medical reasons.

The participants agreed they gained skills in horticulture, but Darrell said the real advantage for the group was becoming work-ready.

He said they team, some just out of high school, were unformed when he took them over.

“Most of them were babies, and had no comprehension of what’s required to actually work,” he said.

“Now they’ve grown up, they’re harder, they’re tougher and more aware of what’s required, so if they go out and get a job now, they understand exactly what’s required for them to keep a job.”

They have disbanded, but the army team planned to stay in touch. 

Members are looking into careers in child care, zoology and National Parks.