Students build bike rack for tourists

NNHS teacher Todd Appleton and students Cameron
Coy, Dale Evans and Braydon Reardon with Justin
Lazenby from Mt Field National Park.

THERE is a new bike rack for pedal-powered visitors to Mt Field National Park thanks to the students at New Norfolk High School.

About 18 months ago Mt Field visitor services co-ordinator Maureen Lowery asked whether students at NNHS would build a bike rack for our local national park visitor centre. The idea was in response to cycling visitors who had mentioned a lack of secure storage for their bikes, some of which are worth thousands of dollars.

The school took up the challenge and worked with Mt Field asset maintenance co-ordinator Justin Lazenby who visited the school to guide the students with the project. With the assistance of Justin and teacher Todd Appleton, the students designed and built the steel bike rack at school and then prepared the site near the visitor centre, mixed the concrete and installed the rack just in time for the coming summer season.

“It’s been a great partnership,” Maureen said. “It was an outstanding achievement for these students." The National Parks and Wildlife Service will provide certificates in recognition of the work done by the participating students.