A MOVE from Melbourne to Kerang put Bhaily Gee on track to fulfil his long-term desire of becoming a mechanic, with the supportive environment of Swan Hill College’s Flexible Learning Options (FLO) program playing a significant part in making that goal a reality.
“It’s a job I’ve always wanted to do my whole life, being a mechanic. Since I was little I’ve watched my pop (Greg Gee) work on cars. That inspired me to work on cars and every chance I got when I was back home I was doing cars in my backyard,” he said.
Mr Gee thrived at the Swan Hill College’s FLO campus, undertaking a school-based apprenticeship, combining other learning with working one day a week at Kerang’s Toyota dealership during 2019.
He made such an impression that he is now a fulltime apprentice at the company’s Kerang and Swan Hill workshops.
Such was the passion and aptitude he showed during his Swan Hill schooling, he not only graduated, but excelled, receiving several accolades.
They included the prestigious Caltex Best All Rounder Award, a long-running secondary education recognition program, acknowledging excellence in areas such as academic leadership and community service activities.
As well as his in-school achievements, Mr Gee is a member of Kerang’s SES, having started there as one of the unit’s juniors.
That has a strong family element to it, with his Kerang-based grandparents, Greg and Glyndia Gee also members, the latter being the unit’s controller.
The FLO program is designed to provide “a more flexible approach to supporting young people at risk of disengaging from learning”.
Mr Gee was in that category, struggling to see the relevance of his Melbourne schooling to what he wished to achieve.
That prompted a move to live with his grandparents.
Mr Gee credits much of his recent success to the dedication of his teachers at FLO and their willingness to work with students individually to help them reach their potential.
“The teachers were always there when you needed them. It made it a lot easier to pass year 12,” he said.
That is something he never expected to achieve.
His move, made with some initial trepidation, demonstrates that while many people are leaving rural areas for employment opportunities, others are accomplishing their aspirations by heading in the opposite direction.
You only need to see the beaming expression on Mr Gee’s face and hear the enthusiasm with which he talks about his work to know he is sure he made the right decision.
