25 Feb 2020
Calwell High School teacher Francis Ventura suggested to a group of Year 9 boys that they could start a bike repair program in their break times.
Not much more than that nudge was needed, and they were off. This project grew from the very humble beginnings of a disused school toilet block.
Ingenuity was a feature right from the beginning. A pipe was affixed across the former toilet stall to hang bike frames.
When they later moved their bike workshop into a disused classroom space, they again improvised, transforming old tables into bike stands.
The boys encountered some challenges in the early days, particularly finding parts and tools, however they overcame both with some know-how and patience.
The group that formed in 2019 comprised of 10 boys. In 2020, two have been lost to interstate moves, but the rest remain, keen as ever.
While the energy and commitment are very much credit to the boys themselves, they are well supported by teaching staff and the Schools Social Worker, Ben Edwards.
When Ben how the boys felt about the project, there was a resounding ‘good’ and ‘pretty good’. As to what’s next, the answer was clear - fix more bikes!
All bikes received were donations from the public. Last year around 20 bikes were restored and donated to the Margaret Hendy School Bike Library. The bike library provides bikes to students who would otherwise find the purchase of a bike difficult.
The Green Shed at Mugga Lane heard about the boy’s fine work and have offered to donate bikes that are received by them.
Principal, Megan Altenburg recalls the bike workshop space looking like a ‘real man cave’.
When asked by their teacher, Francis Ventura how they feel about now being recognised as young school leaders, the boys remain very cool, ‘accomplished’ comes forward as a response.
Stay tuned for further updates on the adventures of the ‘Calwell Bike boys’ who are building their very own brand of community wellbeing and resilience.