training them to become artisans instead of labourers

“A technical school would ultimately benefit the rising generation by training them to become artisans instead of labourers …” from Footscray Advertiser, 30 September 1911 quoted in Poor Man’s University: 75 years of Technical Education in Footscray, by Carolyn Rasmussen, 1989. p.15

Thanks to Victoria University archivist Kim Burrell for digging this one out.

I really warm to the remembrances of the Footscray Technical School, as I went to a technical school after leaving highschool and it was such a wonderful life-changing experience. I did go to technical school to study art and how to become an artisan, its where my dabbling in clay became very much ingrained in me, and look where we are now! Sadly higher education is being more and more skewed to economic rationalisation, instead of the training of artisans.

(I am also sorry to say that there was no 'instead' of labourers, as my job as an artist is very labour intensive, but it was a wonderful sentiment)

About: Message in a Cup

Messages and stories of learning in Footscray are collected and then written onto the insides of one hundred handmade blue cups. The cups are placed in Footscray during BluScray events to be found by people and taken home. The project gives voice to peoples experiences and understandings of learning and shares these ideas with others in the city of Footscray.

http://messageinacup.blogspot.com.au/

https://www.facebook.com/messageinacup/

Message in a Cup is part of BluScray,  a program of blue-themed arts and cultural events held throughout 2016 to celebrate Victoria University’s Centenary in collaboration with Maribyrnong City Council for the Footscray University Town initiative.Visit www.vu.edu/bluscray for more information #BluScray

 Message in a cup was made by the artist Debbie Harman Qadri.

a very sincere thankyou to those people who became involved in the project, it was nothing without you.

this project was brought to you by:

Maxienne, Greg, Mick, Christopher, Greg, Alejandra, Jason, Lou, Dan, Nick, Rachel, Pauline, Anon, Carl, Jamal, Candice, Aaron, Catherine, Larissa, Jo, Geoff, Jocelyn, Danny, Jos, Bill, Brendan, Sasha, Rosie, Ethan, Kim, Jess, Kriti, Neha, Gaurika, Raman, Angela and Shenel. Crystal, Mankirat and Sonia, Dorothy, Marg, Tung, Davina, Marten, Lola, Adam,
Nick, Tamati, Molly, Ella, Dean, Viltor, Ella, Chantelle, Milo, Vanessa, Lynn, Sara, Austin, July, Aiden, Jack, Kristen, Liz, Kirsten, Ko, Ali, Sylvia, Raine, Bec, Ocore, Stjepan, Dan, Cathy, Rich, Iffat, Salma, Erica, Carolyn, O.H., Kellie, Suzanne, Annie, Cathy, Marnie, Michelle, Evie, Anne, Rhiannon, Pat, Mary, Liss, Neil, Gennivieve, Charlotte, Jacinta, Hannes, Maureen, Carmen, and Debbie.