Our participants are at the heart of what we do

Our participants are at the heart of everything we do

Children, young people, adults and elders are engaged at all levels of the Indigenous Community Sport and Recreation Program (ICSRP) to guide us to ensure that we provide the highest quality community programs and services through the delivery of targeted cultural social and emotional wellbeing programs. Through participation in sports and active recreation activities, we recognise that all PCYC Townsville, Upper Ross, and Mackay programs have become part of the fabric of community life through the authentic and very supportive relationships that our local program staff have with the community. There are three standout regional locations that we would like to spotlight this year.

Townsville East and West

Our Townsville East and West team has gone from strength to strength this year. We have three staff members based in Townsville, Sean, Arika and Seanne, who have exceptionally coordinated and supported various activities and programs, engaging Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people across the region.

Deadly Learners Program

In collaboration with Good Shepherd Catholic College in Townsville, PCYC work holistically with the teachers to teach cultural competency and independence. The program was run once a week to allow a safe space for our First Nations kids to learn more about their culture and gain the confidence to speak about it to their peers. We have seen each student grow in confidence and express themselves through newly developed skills such as drawing, painting and dancing.

After-School Program

In 2021, the PCYC Indigenous afterschool programs were run twice a week in Townsville and Upper Ross. Different schools attended, including Garbutt State, Vincent State, Central State, Kelso State and others. The team and kids usually hang out at a park where they would have afternoon tea, enjoy sports or hang out. This allowed the team to create a safe space for each child and enabled the PCYC team to interact within the community.

Upper Ross & Townsville Community Boxing Program

The Townsville Community Boxing program is a program that is led by our Indigenous Community Sport and Recreation Coordinator Arika Appleby. The program provides a safe place for primary and secondary school students to go and let off steam while building trust and stamina with positive role models. The boxing program teaches self-defence, fitness, discipline and respect. The program aims to create networks like friendships and a sense of family for the students.

“I would like to thank Sean Brennan, Arika Appleby, and Seanne Santo for the opportunities they have provided our girls. Thank you for being such wonderful role models. You have made a huge impact on the lives of our girls. “

Sandra Hopf, Mentor, Stars Foundation

Mackay Our dedicated and highly respected team member in Mackay, Patrick, understands the importance of physical activity and engaging Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to achieve this through dance.

“I have seen first-hand the

growth from my child’s involvement over the past year. How confident and proud of his culture he is and where he has connected to his identity and really found his passion

Rekindling youth dance program

Consultations within the community and Bangarra were held late last year and earlier this year as Indigenous Community Sport and Recreation Officer Patrick held an introductory dance workshop to recruit potential students for the program with 70 students in attendance. Rekindling was run over three gatherings focusing primarily on engagement with young people and the First Nations people of Mackay known as ‘Yuwi Nation Country’. This was an integral part of the Rekindling Program as the youth and Bangarra learnt invaluable cultural knowledge from the trainers. The students rehearsed towards the final presentation of their own creative works on stage on Yuwi Country.

Creative Arts in Dance (CAID)

This program has developed over the last year and used dance to add value to young people’s lives by providing a safe and culturally artistic environment for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders to express, develop and sustain creative abilities. The program enables participants to further explore their culture, identity and connection to land, waters and skies through a creative lens. Multi-sports and games have been incorporated into the program to improve and maintain fitness in our young people. In 2021 the students, together with Patrick, delivered classes and performances for schools and communities from the program and had the opportunity to display the skills they had learnt from dance at community and cultural events. The amount of pride, fierceness and confidence radiating from them positively impacts the community.

Tiwi Yow Yeh, parent of CAID participant

Sabe Afterschool Fitness Programs

Previously known as the Sub Eh Dance program, Sabe is a Torres Strait Islander Creole/ Spanish term meaning ‘to know. The Sabe afterschool program provides participants with basic and all-important knowledge of Contemporary and Traditional Dance. Beginner’s fitness and stretch classes are also given to improve cardio and flexibility and ensure correct body alignment. Sabe improves the identity of Indigenous young people and strengthens their relationships with cultural practices in the community.