Valiant restoration boosts First Nations students’ automotive skills

First Nations students restoring an 1960s Chrysler Valiant at Charles Darwin University (CDU) in Alice Springs have not only transformed the car but also their automotive skills and workplace credentials. 

The ‘Cuz Congress’ car is well known across the Northern Territory’s Red Centre where it starred in a documentary and featured in town parades more than 25 years ago. 

But the S-Series Valiant was an inoperable wreck when it arrived in the University’s Alice Springs Automotive Workshop in 2020. Since then, it has transformed into a machine fit for display in the Pavilion at the 2022 Red Centre NATS in September.

The 10 First Nations men, aged 16 to 18 years, from Yirara College, worked on the Valiant with support from CDU apprentice students and were mentored by automotive lecturers Shane Gaghan and Chris Prasad.

The restoration of the six-cylinder sedan is part of the Red Centre NATS Rusted Gems Project in partnership with CDU, Yirara College, the Redtails Pinktails Right Tracks Program and Central Australian Aboriginal Congress.

Gaghan says the Valiant rebuild has seen the students gain new automotive skills and workplace credentials. This includes two core safety units: Environmental Sustainability and Safe Work Practice, which count towards VET Automotive Certificates II and III at CDU, and in turn, an automotive apprenticeship.

“The project is about outcomes. The end goal is to see First Nations students gain skills and qualifications that can help them secure an automotive apprenticeship in Alice Springs,”  Gaghan says.

“The core safety units give the students an accredited head-start when applying for local apprenticeships – they would otherwise have to attend and complete courses for this workplace training.”

The automotive units are nationally recognised qualifications eligible for recognition of prior learning (RPL).

“These guys were already highly skilled – they all work on cars in their communities – but the project has helped to convert their expertise into workplace qualifications,” Gaghan says

“Putting smiles on the faces of students is another important outcome. The skills training helps to build confidence, and a sense of pride and achievement in reviving the Cuz Congress car.” 

Gaghan says the project is also helping to bridge a generational gap because the 60-year-old car has special significance for many Elders in Central Australia’s First Nation communities.

“Many communities have close ties to the car’s history, so it is very meaningful for older generations to see the car brought to life again,” he says. 

The Yirara College students hail from First Nations communities including Yuendumu, Papunya, Elliot, Kalkarinji and Borroloola.