Riley finds a passion for the environment through a school-based apprenticeship

“I started studying horticulture through my VCAL course while I was at school and I loved it,” he said.

Riley completed a school-based apprenticeship where he worked two days a week in the parks and gardens team at Northern Grampians Shire Council in Stawell.

He was then employed as a full-time apprentice at council and is studying the Certificate III in Parks and Gardens at South West TAFE.

“I love being outdoors and I love that I can help to make the environment better.

“My work involves a lot of mowing, tree planting, rose pruning and wood chipping.

“There’s always something to do and I’m really proud of what I do,” he said.

Riley is from Naru and said he was really enjoying learning about different plants and what grew well in different environments.

“I’m hoping that one day I can visit Naru to help out their environment and pass on my knowledge of plants to my family,” he said.