General News
27 May, 2026
Cobden Tech students hammer home the value of community
YEAR 11 Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) Vocational Major (VM) students at Cobden Technical School have built six timber bird boxes by hand, with the finished products set to be donated to community groups across town.
When the six students set to work with timber, nails and a healthy dose of determination, the result was more than just a woodworking project – it was a lesson in what it means to give back.
The students, enrolled in the VCE VM personal development skills class, recently completed the construction of six bird boxes – each built independently from start to finish.
The boxes will now be donated to local Cobden community groups as part of the students’ coursework in community contribution.
Cobden Technical School VCE VM teacher Stacey Podger said the project began with a visit from Bunnings Colac activities organiser Jo Connell, who attended the school to help the students with the building process.
She said with support from Ms Connell, the students were able to independently tackle the building project.
Mrs Podger said the enthusiasm shown by students throughout the project was fantastic to see.
“To see every student complete a finished, working bird box – something they built with their own hands in a single double period – was genuinely impressive,” she said.
“The pride they had in the finished products was just wonderful to see.
“This kind of hands-on, community-focused learning is exactly what the VCE VM program is designed to foster.”
Mrs Podger said the project, while benefiting the local community, was also a positive outcome for the students involved.
“The students didn’t just build bird boxes – they built confidence, independence and a real connection to their community, and they did it all with a positive outlook,” she said.
“Knowing that these boxes are going to local groups in Cobden makes the achievement even more meaningful.”
Mrs Podger also praised the contribution of Ms Connell from Bunnings Colac, whose practical expertise gave students a strong foundation from which to work independently.
“We’re incredibly grateful to Jo for coming out to the school and sharing her skills with our class,” she said.
“Having someone from the community come in and teach our students something tangible is exactly the kind of real-world learning that makes a difference.”
The six completed bird boxes will be distributed to Cobden community groups in the coming weeks, where they will support the local natural environment.
“It is a fitting conclusion for a class built around the principle that personal development is most powerful when it serves others,” Mrs Podger said.
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