Cornerstone College
The Cornerstone College participated in the recently completed exercise 1A/22. A team of young men were given the unique opportunity to participate in our evidence-based outback intervention program. Operation Flinders would like to acknowledge the ongoing support provided by the Rotary Club of Mt. Barker in offering generous financial assistance in ensuring young people at-risk are provided with the opportunity to experience the program and its benefits.
Through the leadership skills of the Operation Flinders team leaders, the team was given positive and consistent role models to work with, who demonstrated to participants the importance of taking responsibility for their actions, and reinforced acceptable standards of community behaviour.
During the exercise, on the final night out in the field, participants were asked to fill out a survey about what they liked/disliked about the exercise, but more importantly the lessons they had learned and how they could apply these skills when they returned home. A summary of each participant’s responses is as follows:
Harry
I can push myself further than I thought, it was good to get to know others better, show more respect to others, school mentor and parents can help me improve, liked the views, camping and forming friendships with others, disliked the long walks.
Josh
I am more resilient than I thought and I can have a positive mindset, be patient and understand others point of view, treat people better and myself better, I can take on more challenges after this, liked the abseiling and being challenged to get out of my comfort zone.
Matthew
Help out more at home, break down my goals into smaller steps, don’t judge people before getting to know them, liked the views and camping out in the Flinders, disliked the walking.
Lucas
Appreciate more the things I have at home, think more about others and helping them if needed, I am more confident of overcoming other challenges after this, liked the views and the abseiling, disliked the walking.
James
Working in a team is a better way to get the job done, respect people to get on better with them, remember the things I have learnt out here, liked cooking on the open fire and relaxing at camp each night, disliked the cold nights.
Hamish
I learnt a lot about who I am and what I am capable of, some people have different opinions but you still need to respect them, think more about how my actions affect others, new challenges won’t seem as hard now, liked the views and camping in the Flinders, disliked the walking.
Eli
I can walk a long way and push past my limits, I can get along with people I don’t know, change my mindset in school, treat people how I want to be treated, listen to the people around me who are there to support me, liked the views and the team challenges, disliked the walking.
Toby
I showed more perseverance and how to make the best out of something, having good people around you is good, you have to respect people even if you don’t like them, teamwork is helpful at home and school, liked the views and how much I’ve learnt about myself, disliked some of the attitudes of others, I am so glad I came and had a great time and bettered myself, if you keep on trying you can achieve a lot more than you first thought.
