NEARLY DONE: Eleisha Kneebone, Meaghan Evans, Andrea O’Keefe, Stephan Routledge, Jamie Toohey, Brigette Rizzato and Rachel Hodge put the finishing touches to the project.

THE vital contribution made by volunteering women in rural communities will be celebrated in a Myrtleford P-12 exhibition early next year.

The college received a grant under the Centenary of Women’s Suffrage program for a project that celebrates the contribution that volunteering women have made to the local community.

The project explores the past, present and future volunteering achievements by women as well as their strength and capacity to survive.

Year nine and ten students interviewed a selection of women who willingly give their time, resources and skills to the local community.

Students conducting the interviews were surprised by the scale of the contributions the women made to the community.

The interviews will be written up by the students in story format with the aim to have them published for others to read.

Year 10 art class students are working on the production of a visual exhibition and DVD that records the volunteer work that goes on behind the scenes at the Myrtleford Agricultural Show.

Students also worked with visiting artist Stephen Routledge to learn how a photographer engages their subject, how to compose a better image and lighting and background effects.

The theme for the photography session was "famous women in history".

The results of the project will come together in an exhibition early next year, to coincide with International Women’s Day.