When Rochedale State High School purchased a LYSAGHT® Covered Walkway System, they came out winners in more ways than they expected. Not only were they happy with the result, but they also secured the right to hold a netball clinic with a local Super Netball Star.

Given the heat and humidity (and occasional downpours of rain) that Queensland experiences each summer, it makes perfect sense that a lot of schools in the Sunshine State are installing covered walkways on their premises.

As the teachers and students at Rochedale State High can tell you, in this part of the world every effort that is made to keep them cool and dry as they move between classes is welcomed. And they should know – the school recently installed a LYSAGHT® Covered Walkway between two of its classroom buildings.

The LYSAGHT® Covered Walkway System

“The LYSAGHT® Covered Walkway System is a fully engineered solution for creating safe, durable and aesthetically pleasing covered walkways,” said Marko Lalovic, Lysaght Segment Manager Infrastructure and Home Improvements, who designed the structure for Rochedale High School.

As he explained, rather than a one-size-fits-all solution, the system provides a means to design and customise structures for each individual application. It incorporates Lysaght’s design software, which carries out all the relevant engineering checks as the design is developed.

The software provides design flexibility along with the peace of mind that comes with knowing that, when completed, the covered walkway will be structurally sound.

“The design service is a standard part of our offering. It really simplifies the whole process for the customer and ensures we get the job done as efficiently and inexpensively as possible,” said Marko.

“This is important because these jobs can get quite complicated in terms of customisation. On this job, for example, there was a lot of back and forth about the attachments to the buildings, which were unique. The Lysaght design software allowed me to complete the task without any major difficulties.”

From the customer’s perspective, the other benefit of working with Lysaght on this type of project is that they are only required to sign one contract.

“We manufacture the product and complete the design. Then we pass this design on to one of our dealers who actually sell the product to the customer. In this case, the dealer was RHM Building Services, who are also builders,” Marko said.

“Rochedale State High School signed a single contract – with RHM Building Services. This was a real plus for the school. It simplified the whole process for them.”

In terms of materials, the structure included FIRMLOK® beams and SmartParts™ connectors, SPANDEK® roofing, plus various fixings, guttering and posts. While these products are standard, materials can be customised to suit the specific application.

“We chose the LYSAGHT FIRMLOK® beams mainly for aesthetic reasons. It’s a roll formed beam that looks particularly attractive from beneath, looking up,” said Marko, adding that another of its benefits is that it doesn’t provide opportunities for birds to nest within it.

The new LYSAGHT® Covered Walkway has been a popular addition to Rochedale State High School. Well-received by teachers and students alike, it has made life a lot more comfortable for all concerned.

Netball Coaching Clinics

But that wasn’t the only good news for the school. At the time of the installation in early 2019, Lysaght was running a competition that they became involved in.

All schools that purchased at least $500 of LYSAGHT® product including covered walkways and kited structures, fencing and screening, roofing and guttering could go in the running to win three netball coaching clinics with Queensland Firebirds player Jemma Mi Mi.

Rochedale State High entered and was lucky enough to be named the winner.

Mi Mi, a high-flying utility for the Firebirds, took a break from preparations for her team’s match against the Sunshine Coast Lightning to coach players from the school’s Years 7, 8, and 9 teams. Rochedale netballers got the opportunity to learn from one of the best. In three separate sessions, one for each team, they went through their paces with the Firebirds star.

According to Nathan Smith, Rochedale State High School’s Deputy Principal – Junior Secondary, the training was just what the teams needed as they strive to take out their own championships.

“It was great to see a player of Jemma’s ability here, helping out our teams. You could see by the looks on the girls’ faces what a great time they had,” he said.

“Judging by their performances on the court, we may just have a couple of future Super Netball champions here among this group.”

As a teenager Mi Mi herself attended a clinic held by Firebirds great Laura Geitz, so Smith may be right. The clinic may be the first step on the path to a professional career for some of the young hopefuls.

“Thanks to Lysaght for making this event possible. It’s great to see a company of their calibre giving back to the community in this way. We really do appreciate the opportunity it has given our teams,” said Smith.