Goulburn Ovens Institute of TAFE

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Accelerating Indigenous Mechanical Training

A partnership between the Koorie Unit of Goulburn Ovens Institute of TAFE (GOTAFE) and Shepparton Based ST Motorsports HQ Racing Team in support of their category State body the Victorian HQ Holden Racing Association (VHQRA) has seen Indigenous students rebuild a replicate HQ Holden model racing car.

ST Motorsports owners Ted Ackland and Steve Whyte have been working with GOTAFE's Koorie Education Unit in an effort to engage students through rebuilding the promotional race car replica and integrating into their studies of the Certificate II in Automotive Technology Studies.

GOTAFE Koorie Specialist Carol Smith said, "The students have been using the racing car as a training tool to learn engine and transmission rebuild, suspension steering, brakes and vehicle body and its relevance to race craft car setup."

"The students have really thrown themselves into the project and as a result of their efforts the vehicle will be used to promote GOTAFE and its Koorie Education Unit at the Victorian State HQ series events." As an extension of their efforts, some of the students were given the chance for selection to be part of the pit crew with ST Motorsports HQ Racing Team during a Shannons National Championship Round at the Phillip Island Grand Prix circuit.

Indigenous Automotive student Tamara Atkinson was the successful student to attend the exciting race mate. GOTAFE Koorie Project Officer Roland Atkinson said, "Tamara excelled under the pressure of the environment and demonstrated excellent communication skills through her interaction with the media." "Ted Ackland, of ST Motorsport, said given the success at Phillip Island with the educational and participation value, it was hoped we could extend the program, expanding into the HQ Racing endurance events at Winton Motor Raceway as further investment in the Koori Students experience." "There isnt many young Indigenous people involved in motor racing in Australia, so the chance for some to be involved in firstly a State Series and potentially a National Series, presents a wonderful training opportunity," said Mr Ackland.

As further evidence of the success of the initiative by GOTAFE, the Koorie Education Unit and the genuine interest shown by the Students, ST Motorsports Shepparton has looked to extend the Koorie experience and development opportunities with both GOTAFE and their Koorie Education Unit, recently engaging the students once again to build and fully race prepare a CAMS spec HQ Racing car from the ground up.

The students will be given the opportunity to test the car on completion on track, again learning the process of checking construction and tunning the car to be race competitive prior to a race entry of the car.

Carol Smith said "I have seen the benefits, providing the Koori students with valuable training in teamwork and problem solving and exposure to an exciting practical side to the theory being learned in the classroom."

For further information about Indigenous and Automotive training at GOTAFE phone 1300 GOTAFE (1300 468 233) or visit www.gotafe.vic.edu.au