Community Bank backs bike repair program

One in four Tasmanian students don’t finish school. This is higher than the national average and presents a grim future as low-skilled, entry level jobs continue to disappear. In addition to decreased earning ability, failure to complete school also means young people are less likely to be engaged in their communities. They’re also more likely to experience poorer health and wellbeing.

The Tasmanian Bike Collective works with schools and families across Tasmania, offering students extra support so that they can be successful at school and in life. By using bikes to connect with students who face more barriers to education and employment, they are teaching the value of learning and empowering them to succeed. The program provides mentoring and skill development through the process of restoring and selling donated second hand bikes along with bike riding skills and camps.

The Huon Valley Bike Collective started as a pilot 2021. It enjoys strong community support with local school students taking part in the programs and numbers almost doubling from 2022 to 2023, with calls for further expansion.

Community Bank Huon Valley has part-funded the ongoing bicycle workshops which provide participating students more support and guidance than they can get in the school environment alone.

Local principal Ian Thomas, Huonville Primary School says that the program helps students build resilience, confidence and self-worth.

“The skills the students are learning are life long and the dispositions being modelled are assisting our students to work alongside others, problem solve and assist beginners in the program.”

Board chair David Brereton said the program was a stand-out for Community Bank Huon Valley.

"There is a pressing need in the Huon Valley for accessible, flexible programs that offer meaningful engagement for young people who are facing challenges,” he said.

The Community Bank funding has allowed the program to continue running three days per week with over 50 students. A waiting list to attend shows the growing demand.

Apply for community investment funding with Community Bank Huon Valley.