WITH scrubbing brush in hand, five enthusiastic young adults recently donned their gumboots and gloves undertaking the huge task of scrubbing headstones at Witta cemetery, as part of their Gold Award residential project for Duke of Edinburgh.
Maleny Blackall Range Duke of Edinburgh participants Hannah, Jasper and Callum were joined by Alexandra and Jack from Brisbane at the beginning of the year for a range of projects spread over five days in order for the participants to be awarded their badge and certificate.
Maleny Blackall Range Lions Club’s Judy Brodie said the project isn’t for the faint hearted.
“It must be planned and carried out by all participants to meet the criteria of living where you don’t normally live and with people whom you don’t normally live, while you do five days of activities that you don’t normally do,” she said.
“Group dynamics is the key focus in their assessor’s report.”
Their work began with cleaning the old SES building at Maleny Showgrounds, ready for their stay, before heading to Witta Cemetery to scrub clean the headstones. The teens heard from third generation Witta resident, Lynda Burgess, whose local knowledge was keenly received.
“Her knowledge of the original Witta residents as well as the history of those now in the cemetery kept them involved and asking questions for well over an hour,” said Judy.
Judy explained that there has been a shortage of residential projects under COVID conditions, which has proved a major problem for a lot of Gold participants to complete their award.
Main image: Jack (16), Jasper (17), Callum (16), Hannah (17) and Alex (18)