ST LEO the Great Primary School pupils were treated to a rare display of the blacksmith trade by Victorian senator John Madigan last Friday.
A blacksmith and boilermaker by trade, the Democratic Labor Party senator demonstrated his skills to the Altona North pupils on his portable forge.
His visit came about when he was impressed by two of the school’s pupils who performed the ‘Welcome to Country’ at a lecture he was delivering.
As a ‘thank you’ to the pupils, Senator Madigan offered to visit the school and talk about his trade and his role as a senator.
Senator Madigan made plant hooks and fire pokers and some of the grade 3-6 pupils, had the chance to bang some molten metal into shape.
“It was great to see so many students interested in the process of making something with their own hands, as well as interested in my work as a senator,” he said.
“I think it’s important to encourage students to pursue any career they want to, be it a tradesman working with their hands, a teacher or even a politician.
“Australia needs good tradesmen and manufacturers as much as it needs good lawyers, doctors and politicians.”
Senator Madigan, who did his training at the rail yards in Newport, said he hoped his visit had given the pupils an insight into the trade he loves.
