FORMER students helping current students is the mantra of the Bindyi Club, and the group of former Dubbo High School and Dubbo College students have come to the party to chip in for a group of teens taking the skills to the world stage.
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Fundraising by Team Zircon, a group of year 12 students, towards their Four Wheel Drive in Schools world title campaign has been further boosted by a donation from the students of the past.
The Bindyi Club has provided the boys with a $400 cheque towards their upcoming trip to England.
Bindyi Club president Jill McCann presented the cheque to the boys during a school holiday barbecue fundraiser at Bunnings at Dubbo.
Mrs McCann said the club, which had hundreds of members, had been keen to see Team Zircon supported in its quest for a world title.
"Our club is a not-for-profit organisation with all funds raised going back into education at Dubbo College," she said.
"When we heard what Team Zircon was aiming to achieve we decided to back them up with a monetary donation.
"We wish them all the very best for their trip to Coventry."
Team Zircon, made up of year 12 boys Sharik Burgess-Stride, Bryce Cronin, Shiv Ram, Chayan Deb Nath, Lucas Blattman and teacher-mentor John Miller, won a wild card entry to the 4x4 in Schools World Titles in England after taking out a close second place in the Australian national competition earlier this year.
The competition is similar to the Formula One in Schools competition but requires students to design and manufacture their own miniature four-wheel-drive, which is then put through a range of manoeuvres to determine its strength and viability.
The competition also includes the development of a marketing plan for the team, a written portfolio recording the work of the team, as well as verbal presentations based around the design and manufacturing process.
The Team Zircon-designed four-wheel drive incorporates a unique drive system where two motors are mounted directly on the axle; a chassis made from carbon fibre; and power sustainability via use of solar technology.
The vehicle also includes custom-designed and manufactured wheels and airless tyres, a unique trait in the Australian-based and possibly the world competition.
A broad range of state-of-the-art technologies have been used in developing the Team Zircon four-wheel drive, including computer-aided design and manufacturing, 3D printing and vacuum forming to construct the shell.
The team is aiming to raise $35,000 to cover the cost of the trip to England, with flights booked for June 28.
Dubbo College Senior Campus P and C has donated $8000 to cover the cost of the airfares.
Major donations have also come from Charles Sturt University, Alkane Resources, Macquarie Rotary Club, Computer Research and Technology and Access Group Training, and further support has come from A1 Tree Services, Fortnum Financial Advisers, Shearing Shed Motel, Barnsons, Austen Brown Boog, Woolworths, Eastbake, BCF and Autobarn.