Rochester Secondary College on Defence Industry school tour of Bushmaster in Bendigo.
On Friday 2nd November 2011, 7 students were fortunate enough to be able to attend an excursion to Thales in Bendigo. Thales is a large engineering company that specialises in the manufacture of defence force equipment, with the Bushmaster one of its best known products.
Students were introduced to the various products that Thales produce and the many career options that are available, including metal fabrication, fitting and machining and auto electrical, through to mechanical and electrical engineering.
Students also observed the various missiles that are used to attack vehicles and the research and development that goes into counteracting these missiles. A tour of the production line was preceded by a trip in the Bushmaster over rugged terrain. Students were also able to talk to two young engineers and their career pathway; an interesting aspect was how both had changed from their initial chosen careers of dietician and a career in ADFA.
Student observations included;
"Highlight of the day would be the ride in the Bushmaster."
"Riding in the Bushmaster is like driving a 15 tonne box with wheels that can go over anything."
"Worth going to just for the ride in the steel box with with wheels."
"When I get $1 million, I'm buying a Bushmaster. Learnt a lot of stuff and had some fun as well."
"Bushmasters have indicators and brake lights and can't break the road rules in war."
"It takes a week to produce 2 Bushmasters but if they push hard they can produce 4."
Pictured in front of the Thales centre are (from L. to R.); Jamie Nalder, Josh McPhee, Dylan Nebauer, Trent Ross, Sean , Caleb Sinclair and Eric Bolitho.
Thanks to Chris Driscoll, Pathways Coordinator for the contribution above.