Community program in the spotlight: Rod Riggers

Chaplain Ryan Green has been running a community mentoring program – called Rod Riggers – at Toogoolawah State High School for the last two years.

In Rod Riggers, a small group of Year 8 or Year 9 boys meet weekly in the school’s manual arts room with volunteers from the local fishing club, to make fishing rods.

Nicoles article_DSC_0518The program usually runs during students’ personal development time or lunchtime. “We meet weekly over a term as the boys gradually build their rods. At the end of the term, we take the boys out for a fishing day to test the rods and celebrate the end of the group,” Ryan says.

Fishing is a valued part of the local community. “Our school is in a semi-rural area in the Brisbane Valley area and has two freshwater lakes close by – Somerset and Wivenhoe. The natural environment/landscape is probably one of the main attractions for our area.

“We contacted a local fishing club, asking if any members would be interested in coming along weekly to spend time with boys, and pass on some wisdom and expertise in fishing and life. A couple of guys answered the call, and fortunately for us, one of them had professional rod building experience,” he says.

The program has great benefits for both students and volunteers. “One of the best things about the program is that the boys are treated like equals. When the mentors introduce themselves, they always explain that they are not teachers, but are there to hang out with them and show them some skills. The group is just about guys getting together to do something they all enjoy. Within that environment, mentors have the opportunity to pass on wisdom to the boys, and talk about the importance of good choices,” Ryan says.

“It’s also great watching the boys start to take pride in their work. The most rewarding part is when they get to the end of the term and can see they’ve done a great job. It’s a good sense of fulfilment.

“The volunteers get as much out of it as the students. One mentor told me he didn’t think anyone would value his input, so he has really enjoyed being involved.”

Ryan says other schools could replicate the program. “The concept is just about connecting a group of people through a common interest. For us, we’ve got mentors who really enjoy fishing and participants who also connect with that. From there, the relationships just form. That’s basically it.

“So, all you need is a common interest – it could be model-building, scrapbooking, craft, clay modelling or painting. The program can be applied to any interest. A good part about fishing rods is their ability to be used over the years to come, and act as a reminder of the Rod Riggers group and the values they learnt. Making something that will last helps to extend the positive message.

“These sorts of programs, with material costs, can involve a bit of expense. Fortunately for us, we were able to secure some funding through a group that works within the school. That funding has really helped to put some longevity into the program. We’ve also had great support from the school administration, which has helped in setting up and coordinating elements of the group, as it has been an ‘in-house’ program,” Ryan says.

“You may like to approach businesses to supply materials, or even possible sponsorship from churches for either a whole group or individual participants – just about using what you’ve got.”