A brew-tiful partnership

By Lachlan Ellis

The Barista Blue program has passed on the skills needed to make a perfect cuppa to another group of young Mooraboolites in its second year, with plans brewing for another opportunity later this year.

Launched by the Bacchus Marsh Blue Light committee last February, the program offers youth aged 15 – 17 a free barista course at TMG College in West Melbourne, before they do a four-hour volunteer shift at Bacchus Marsh’s Lola’s Café for hands-on experience.

Moorabool Youth Officer Leading Senior Constable James Ross said application numbers were lower this year than last year, but that opened up the opportunity for another round later in the year.

“We only had seven applicants, so we’re looking at running another one in September. We didn’t have as many applicants as expected, but it means we might be able to have that extra opportunity in the September school holidays, we run Barista Blue during the school holidays so the kids don’t miss out on school,” LSC Ross told the Moorabool News.

“The participants were really enthusiastic, they really enjoyed it. For some of them it was the first time being part of an adult training environment which was interesting for them. It’s really good to see young people given that type of opportunity that doesn’t come around often.”

Cidney Oates, 15-years-old, is one of this year’s Barista Blue graduates, and said she would highly recommend young Mooraboolites apply for the next round.

“I thought it’d be a good opportunity; I’d never done anything like it before. I just wanted to give it a go. I work in retail at the moment, I haven’t applied to work at a café just yet but after doing the work experience at Lola’s they said if anything comes up, they’ll let me know,” Ms Oates said.

“I picked up some good skills, and experience in a field I’ve never worked in before.  I think I did pretty well, to start with I was a bit nervous, but I really enjoyed it. Applying was a lot easier than I thought it would…I’d definitely recommend people apply, it was really good.”

If the Barista Blue program interests you, keep an eye on the ‘Eyewatch – Moorabool Police Service Area’ Facebook page, as details on how to apply will be posted there.

LSC Ross thanked Arbee Real Estate, the Bacchus Marsh Community Bank Branch, and Moorabool Shire Council for supporting the program.

To read the full story – Simply click on the following link

https://issuu.com/themooraboolnews/docs/mn_2022-05-31/6

in the 31 May 2022 edition
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pick up a paper around your town.