Four students are readying themselves for future careers thanks to a new partnership struck between Campaspe Shire Council, Monash University and Gardiner Dairy Foundation.
The quartet — Yuan Liu, Aydin Custovic, Aleez Vasaya and Cameron Reynolds — is working on the Bridge To Bridge project — a council initiative examining the future for the space between Echuca’s new and old bridges that cross the Murray River.
The team is diverse in background and experience.
Mr Liu, originally from China, is studying a Bachelor of Industrial Design and Mechanical Engineering.
There are two future Masters of Architecture in Mr Custovic and Mr Vasaya, while Mr Reynolds is studying a Bachelor of Civil Engineering.
The quartet is working under the guidance of Campaspe Shire Council’s manager of integrated planning Kirsty Beattie.
“The project brief is exploring and investigating the space between the two bridges,” Ms Beattie said.
“We are looking at ways we can leverage on what’s already there to make it a destination tourist precinct.
“Specifically, we’re looking at the spaces, buildings, lighting and design in a way that allows us to maximise the natural assets through the port area, the huge spaces available.
“It is good to get some fresh eyes and feedback from people with expertise.”
The quartet is about a month into what will be a three-month stint working in Echuca.
“They are researching an investigation piece and gaining an understanding of the current plans,” Ms Beattie said.
“There are a number of site inspections taking place so they can each get some background, while also liaising with supervisors and the various departments they are working with.”
The students were selected as part of the Monash Industry Team Initiative (MITI), which saw them undergo an intensive interview process.
They met for the first time on the eve of starting work and are living together in a share house during their stint in the twin towns.
Of the quartet, Mr Reynolds, had the greatest awareness of what he was taking on.
“I’ve visited Echuca-Moama reasonably often with my family over the past 10 years or so,” he said.
“I’m familiar with the area, what draws people here, which is different to the other three.
“There’s no doubt (Echuca-Moama) was a selling point in the project for me, the opportunity to come and work on this project here was a lure and it will certainly help with my career aspirations.”
Mr Reynolds is complementing his major in Civil Engineering with a minor in Renewable Energy, an element he will call upon as part of the project.
The fresh approach is something Mr Custovic believes can set him in good stead as a project team member.
“I hadn’t been to Echuca before, but I’ve visited a number of other regional towns in Victoria,” he said.
“This is a town with great potential and we want to make what is already a beautiful place even better.”
Fellow Master of Architecture Mr Vasaya paid tribute to the support of everyone behind the partnership.
“The Gardiner Foundation is providing opportunities to students like us to gain industry experience,” he said.
“The chance to put theory into practical experience and work under the guidance of someone like Kirsty has been great.
“Everyone has been so accommodating.”
Mr Liu said he was enjoying the contrasts Echuca provided from previous places he had lived and visited.
“I did not know much about Echuca before coming up here, so there’s been a lot of learning, but it has been really great,” he said.
“The atmosphere around the town has been really nice, I’m enjoying the experience of working in a different area, with different people in a professional way.”
The students are interested to gain some insight into how people use the spaces between the bridges and have developed a survey.
To access the survey, scan the QR code attached to this story.
The purpose of the survey is connect with an understand the feelings of the community in order to produce a meaningful outcome for the Bridge To Bridge project.