As part of their arts and crafts program at Essential Employment and Training at Ulladulla, they painted and decorated the birdbath, then deliberated what to do with it.

“They wanted to donate the birdbath to people who would enjoy it and thought who better than Budawang Public School?” said Essential’s Julie Griffiths.

Bunnings was on board as the donor of the birdbath and agreed to help design a garden around the structure the day they presented it.

Budawang principal Sheryl Bruffey was thrilled and said “it will bring lots of smiles to the children, staff and parents at the school”.

For Essential, the project was part of its Transition to Work Program, a two-year, government-funded program for school leavers with learning disabilities.

“We focus on resume building, interview skills, workplace issues, confidence building and motivation,” Ms Griffiths said.  

“We send the participants into work experience situations and volunteering roles within the community in the hope that it leads to paid employment in the future.”

The program is also about socialising and making friends.