partnership between parliament house and … between parliament house and challenger institute just...
TRANSCRIPT
Partnership between Parliament House and Challenger Institute just blooming.
Whilst Parliament House is already considered a grand old building, it is made more beautiful and
lively thanks to the floristry students from Challenger Institute of Technology.
Each year several students studying in their final semester of the Certificate III in Floristry at
Challenger Institute attend training at Parliament House.
This training is crucial, as at this stage, the students learn to work with materials that have been
supplied rather than personally selected, and are trained on how to be economical with all the
material that they have been given.
By the end of their training, the students have gained the necessary skills to be able to design
industry standard floral arrangements.
“The training at Parliament House provides students with a real opportunity to learn how to work to
industry expectation of work completion within specified time frames and complete work to a
professional practical standard.
“The experience at Parliament House demands a professional level of personal presentation and
punctuality. It also provides students with the reality of the job role and a good understanding of the
level of their own ability. Students are expected to show a strong work ethic as well as observing
safe working practices whilst on the job,” explained floristry lecturer Leonie Joss.
There is a strong focus on sustainability – students are trained to be economical with all materials,
recycling and replenishing arrangements wherever possible. The students source most of their
foliage from the Parliament House gardens in cooperation with the Parliament House gardener.
“Challenger Institute of Technology and the Parliament of Western Australia have had a long
standing partnership resulting in beautiful floristry displays around the building and opportunities
for students to practice their skills in a location of prominence. We are delighted to continue this
partnership and are very grateful for the efforts of Challenger Institute”, said the President of the
Legislative Council, Hon Barry House MLC.
“This arrangement between the Parliament and Challenger Institute has been in place since early
2005 and there are obvious benefits from the Parliament’s perspective as well. We love having the
students here. Many of their floral creations are just stunning and liven up the Parliament”, said the
Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, Hon Michael Sutherland MLA.
One of the students who took part in the program, Ms Emma Hunter, won the Royal Agricultural
Show Open competition at the Perth Royal Show, as well as taking out the second place in the
National World Skills Competition.
In Mid‐December 2013, Parliament arranged an end of semester ‘Thank you’ Morning Tea for the
students to show their appreciation and as a way of formally recognising the efforts of the students
and lecturers. Certificates of Appreciation were to be handed out to each of the students at the
Morning Tea.
Picture: The President, Hon Barry House MLC, addressing the students and Tafe lecturers at the
Morning Tea.
Picture: The President, Hon Barry House MLC (back row, middle) with the Speaker, Hon Michael
Sutherland MLA (back row, left) with the floristry lecturers from Challenger Institute of Technology.