News - Student's design wins praise

Chris Granger with his car hoist, which will feature in the DesignTECH display at the Powerhouse Museum.

Student’s car hoist design wins praise
Cooranbong, New South Wales

Mechanics have high-lift car hoists to make working on vehicles less backbreaking but without the high ceilings of a purpose-built workshop, how can home car care be made easier?
This was the question a Year 12 student, Chris Granger, from Avondale School set out to answer. The solution he came up with is so good, it has been nominated for display at DesignTECH, an exhibition to be held at the Powerhouse Museum later this year.
“I have been driving in car-club events since I was 13 and have spent lots of time lying on the garage floor,” says Mr Granger. “We can’t fit a hoist in our garage, as we do not have enough height. I thought it would be a good idea if I could make a simple hoist to lift a car about a metre high.”
For the past year, Mr Granger has been working steadily on the project—“I have learnt it is better to tackle a big project little by little”—and when the Board of Studies examined his work, they decided it was up there with the best in the state.
“We are very proud of Chris,” says Avondale School’s Design and Technology teacher, David Hoey.
“He has developed a strong understanding of the design process, including researching, experimenting and testing solutions. He has displayed excellent practical skills in the production of a quality design solution with a strong eye for detail.”
The DesignTECH exhibition is run by the Board of Studies to showcase the best HSC Design and Technology projects of the year.
Other projects from Avondale students included high fashion clothes, a horse-feeding system, furniture and steel-capped ugg boots.—Braden Blyde