Federal Member for Hume Angus Taylor has congratulated the Green Army team at Picton for the cleanup underway at Stonequarry Creek.

Mr Taylor met with team members to see the progress to date, since work started late last year.

“It’s a big change already and on such a great community project. I was delighted to meet the young team. They’re a keen bunch, looking for further work and this programme is a solid step towards ongoing employment,” he said.

He said the Healing Stonequarry Creek Green Army project was engaging young people to remove and spray weeds, prune natives already planted along the creek and plant native tubestock. Team members were enthusiastic to talk about the benefits.

Madison Walker (far right, front row): “I have just completed Year 12, so starting my career with the Green Army has been fantastic. I've always been interested in bush care and land management, and learning more through theory and practical work has been an eye-opener as to how bad some environments actually are. This experience has built my love for nature and wanting to take care of it.”

Blake Denning (far left, front row): “I am happy to have found an opportunity in a tough job market for young people. Going to work provides me with personal pride and motivation to show that I have a strong work ethic. I am hoping that this job can support me in finding the next work opportunity that is longer term.”

Mr Taylor said the program was one of five Green Army projects approved for Hume and part of a wider Government commitment to supply a Green Army of up to 15,000 young people to tackle environmental issues in local communities.

He said Round Three of the Green Army programme was now open, with applications due by 2pm 17 March 2015. More information: http://www.environment.gov.au/land/green-army/projects

Caption: Angus Taylor (back row, third from right) with Picton community, business and council representatives, as well as Green Army team members (front row from left: Blake Denning, Sherrie Chambers, Dan Anderson (Team Supervisor), Jaymon Dunk, Edward Langston and Madison Walker).