Inmates pitch in for Disabled Surfers Association

The trailer is designed to transport wheelchairs, surfboards and equipment, with modifications made to ensure the trailer remained durable in the sand and salt water.

The Disabled Surfers Association's South West branch received a trailer more than nine years ago, thanks to the tireless efforts of the Busselton Freemasons.

The South West branch helped to establish Albany as the 18^th national branch seven years ago, and the need for a similar transportation system became evident when it began running the seasonal program in 2018.

After hearing about the need for a second trailer, Busselton Freemasons' Wayne Malkin said he felt compelled to act.

In October 2018, Mr Malkin said he wrote to Bunbury Regional Prison superintendent Kerri Bishop and the project soon got underway.

"It really affected me," he said.

"Seeing all that gear having to be carted down on a Sunday morning.

"We got together the necessary funding and have pushed it through to make sure it happens."

Disabled Surfers Association South West president Ant Pursell said the trailer was essential, with thousands of dollars worth of heavy equipment used at each seasonal event.

"Something like this is essential," he said.

"We have thousands of dollars worth of matting and it takes four men to pick up each roll.

"This is down to Wayne Malkin. If it wasn't for him jumping up and down to get this done, it wouldn't have happened.

"He has done an amazing job."

Before long, Bunbury Regional Prison VSO Trade instructor Greg Adams visited Mr Pursell's house to measure the existing trailer and assess possible design modifications.

"The trailer concept was not invented by us, but by the necessity of the disabled surfers association," he said.

"The South West group has one already, but they approached us through the Free Maisons, who are the fundraisers, and obviously we have taken the build on board.

"What they're doing now is different to what they did nine years ago, so we modified the trailer to suit their needs.

"Over the course of about four or five months, we would have had about a dozen prisoners involved in the build.

"They [prisoners] are thrilled, they love it."

Mr Adams highlighted that the project was mutually beneficial, giving the inmates an opportunity to give back to the community whilst developing new skills.

"Part of our job here is to keep them employable and keep them active, but also to contribute to the community through projects like this," he said.

"They cannot do that any other way. These projects allow that and we enjoy them."

"Within our workshops, we have people who are qualified in those roles, including welders and fabricators.

"When we have a workplace employed of about 14 to 15 in our workshop, we're exposing those people who aren't qualified and they get to work with the qualified guys and gives them an opportunity to up-skill.

The community project isn't the first the prison has been involved in, having completed two already just this year and about a dozen annually.

"We're more than happy to do this sort of stuff," Mr Adams said.

"We do a lot of projects here in the metal shop for Parks and Wildlife. Some are paid for and some are donations."

Mr Adams confirmed that the workshop had now offered to upgrade the South West branch's existing trailer.

Superintendent Kerri Bishop said the prison aimed to take on more community work, particularly for not-for-profit organisations.

"There are so many of these small, community organisations that don't receive the funding necessary to do these sorts of things," she said.

"We have people here who are capable of filling that gap.

"We give to them and then they on give it.

"It's about giving these guys that first opportunity to learn, to up-skill.

"They also get a lot of pleasure out of seeing the community enjoy their work."