Opportunities in horticulture, hospitality and music are now available to young people at Cobham Youth Justice Centre.
Newly opened student-operated facilities include a horticulture and landscaping centre, a café, and a music studio. The programs will be supervised by staff from Cobham and the Putland Education and Training Unit.
“Vocational education and training opportunities like this are giving back autonomy to young people and putting them on track for meaningful pathways,” Minister for Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education Steve Whan said.
“These new facilities will empower young people with accreditations, skills, experiences, and connections allowing them to become productive members of society who are proud of their accomplishments.”
Students will grow a range of plants in the horticultural centre which will be transferred to the rail corridor planned for the Western Sydney International Airport.
Young people in custody will also work as baristas, repurpose kitchen waste for soil, and learn sound production.
“The students will also have the chance to practice and be exposed to employee-employer relationships,” said Jihad Dib, Minister for Youth Justice.
“Through these experiences, young people will find it easier as they begin their transition back to being productive members of the community.”
Speaking to the crowd, Minister Dib said each time he visits Cobham, he leaves feeling inspired.
“When a young person does something wrong – and everyone has done something wrong in their life – this is the consequence, but we’ve got to do more than jus make it a consequence or a form of revenge,” he explained.
“This is about an opportunity to make a change and to be able to build a better life.”
Two young residents at Cobham played a vital role in completing the project, showcasing a change in attitude and hope for their future.
“I’m really proud, really excited, and they have done an amazing job,” Principal Denise Hillman stated, before explaining how their facilities help young people in detention.
“You see a change in their personalities, you see a change in demeanours, you see a change in mindsets. Often, they come in with a negative thinking that the world is not going to give them anything and that the community won’t give them a chance.
“One of the things we try to do during these programs is open up their eyes to see that there’s a better way to do things and to change the way they think about the world.”
The ministers cut the ribbon outside the horticulture centre on April 30, which was met with a round of applause from a group of people excited about the futures of the young men at Cobham.
Ally Hall
Ally Hall joined the Weekender in 2024, and focuses on entertainment and community stories. She's a graduate of the University of South Australia and has previously worked as a Video Journalist with Southern Cross Austereo and as a News Reader with Australian Radio Network.