The boat is modelled on the unit’s favourite retired rescue boat 595 but is designed to stay on land and give kids a feel for the work SES volunteers do in the region, including on the waters of Lake Mulwala.
The boat will accompany the SES unit to various community events and made its debut at the Yarrawonga Show on October 5.
It was built over the past year by participants in the Bunnings Trade Skills for Teens school holiday program, with Bunnings donating all the building materials.
Bunnings Yarrawonga Activities Organiser Tim Roadley said the project came to life after the SES approached the store wanting to buy a boat sandpit to use in its community engagement program.
“I saw this as an opportunity for our Trade Skills for Teens program to build a boat, rather than the SES having to purchase one,” Mr Roadley said.
“So, the store advertised that we were running a school holiday program open to any teenagers to learn about and participate in a building project.
“We had the teenagers of some of our team members, kids who love DIY and young SES volunteers take part over the spring, summer, Easter and winter holidays for the next 12 months, with the final project unveiled at the Yarrawonga Show.
“The project has given these kids valuable skills, along with a real sense of purpose and achievement. It’s been great to watch them work together and focus on doing something for others.”
Bunnings launched its Trade Skills for Teens program nationally in August last year.
Since then, more than 1100 teenagers have learnt trade skills at workshops, building items including garden beds, kennels, buddy benches and barbecues, which have all been donated to local not-for-profit community groups.
Bunnings Yarrawonga has held nine Trade Skills for Teens sessions in the past year, involving five different community organisations.
The store has also raised more than $109,000 for local community groups and organisations through more than 230 activities in the past 12 months.
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