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Team Newsletter September/October 2020
Message from CEO I am thrilled to announce in recent weeks PCYC Queensland has been fortunate to secure more than $20 million of funding for various programs and services over the coming years. Congratulations to all involved in securing these much-needed funds, allowing us to positively plan for future service delivery. Funding includes: ■ $15.96 million from MAIC to expand Braking the Cycle over the next five years ■ $1.98 million from Federal Government to deliver Safer Communities programs across eight locations till 2022 ■ $727,700 from Department of Employment, Small Business and Training to deliver Skilling Queenslanders for Work programs across six clubs ■ $370,000 from Department of Environment and Science to enable participation in the Containers for Change Scheme across 37 clubs ■ $334,889 from Department of Sport and Recreations Active Restart Infrastructure Recovery Fund for 25 new projects ■ $252,000 from government for My Mob Our Stories workshops across 14 Indigenous locations ■ $205,000 from Glencore to complete facility upgrades at PCYC Mount Isa ■ $75,300 from Rio Tinto to commence Braking the Cycle at PCYC Napranum ■ $45,610 from Department of Transport and Main Roads Road Safety Grants for Bike Safety Programs at PCYC Bayside, PCYC Caboolture and PCYC Burdekin ■ $15,000 from Gold Coast City Council’s Community Organisation Recovery Grants for group fitness and gymnastics equipment at PCYC Nerang, PCYC Ashmore and PCYC Gold Coast ■ $10,000 from Queensland Mental Health Commission for MY SPACE program at PCYC Mareeba
MAIC announces $15.96 million funding over five years for Braking the Cycle The future of our award-winning learner driver mentor program Braking the Cycle has been secured, with Motor Accident Insurance Commission (MAIC) announcing a further $15.96 million in funding over the next five years to support young people to obtain their driver’s licence. Currently supporting program delivery at 42 of our 48 locations, MAIC funding will allow new and expanded sites across the state and is expected to help more than 700 young people obtain their licence in the next 12 months. MAIC Insurance Commissioner Neil Singleton who made the funding announcement at the official launch on 25 September, said he is proud of the partnership and looks forward to building on positive outcomes over the next five years. “Braking the Cycle provides life-changing benefits to Queenslanders and we are proud of the number of graduates obtaining their licence and increasing their participation in employment and education activities,” said Mr Singleton. “MAIC’s continued support will both consolidate and expand the program across the state, providing security to retain key staff and maintain a sufficient volunteer base to provide mentoring for participants.”
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Team Newsletter September/October 2020
Far North Queensland
PCYC Mount Isa receives funding from Glencore PCYC Mount Isa is set to undergo facility upgrades thanks to Glencore’s Community Assistance Program, with a donation of $205,000 recently announced. PCYC Mount Isa club manager Sergeant Bernadette Strow said “The aim is to improve the club’s appearance and give our members a refreshed facility, with repairs set to include new flooring, a new audio system throughout the entire club and new furniture and fittings in the Youth Zone.”
PCYC Yarrabah hosts second successful Dalari Fast5 Netball Tournament
PCYC Napranum to run Braking the Cycle with support from Rio Tinto
PCYC Yarrabah in partnership with Netball Queensland again held another sensational Dalari Fast 5 Netball Tournament on 15 August. All nine teams from Yarrabah, Mossman, Mareeba, Kuranda, Townsville and Cape York came together to play their games in great spirit.
PCYC Napranum has received $75,300 from Rio Tinto Weipa’s community development fund to implement our Braking the Cycle-Changing Gears Program, as a test case for remote areas.
Our Townsville 2 Team came away winners in the final by a very narrow margin from the tenacious Ngoombi Team, and one young player from Townsville 1 Team won Player of the Tournament. Congratulations to all the staff, umpires and the teams involved, we look forward to hosting again next year!
PCYC Napranum club manager Sergeant TJ Baker said it would be a success in the community. “It has been run in other places with really good outcomes, but this is the first time it has been rolled out in a remote Indigenous community,” he said.
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Team Newsletter September/October 2020
North Queensland PCYC Edmonton member achieves Senior Black Belt Congratulations to PCYC Edmonton karate member Logan Gentle who recently achieved his Shodan Senior Black Belt after starting his training at the club five years ago. It was a huge week for Logan, who in the same week turned 16, got his Learners permit, participated in his 500th karate lesson, reached 191 PCYC volunteer hours and was awarded a Senior Black Belt. A pretty good week by all accounts!
PCYC Whitsundays opens new library station PCYC Whitsunday has officially opened a new library station in the club as part of the Whitsunday Regional Library’s Community Literacy Champions Project to promote and champion early literacy development from a young age. Through funding from Whitsundays Regional Council the free space enables families to relax, read and play with the various resources.
PCYC Queensland hosts second successful Wariganda Golf Tournament PCYC Queensland hosted its second successful Wariganda Golf Tournament in Townsville on 14 September, welcoming 104 players to play the 18-hole course and a further 12 players on the 9-hole par 3 course at the superb Rowes Bay Golf Club. This year saw lots of fun and competition and our first ever ladies’ team! Thanks to all who participated and to Sean Brennan for organising another great event.
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Team Newsletter September/October 2020
Central Queensland PCYC Woorabinda in community PCYC Woorabinda staff worked with Woorabinda State School and Wadja Wadja State High School during Domestic Violence Awareness Month, going into classrooms and participating in activities while staff provided information to children around the incidence of DV and the impacts on families. The club staff also attended Woorabinda State School’s Under 8s Day, giving out a bag of goodies to encourage school attendance, and supporting children’s development through fun and exciting activities.
PCYC South Burnett committee member receives Medal of the Order of Australia Congratulations to Leo Geraghty, member of PCYC South Burnett Committee, who recently achieved a Medal of the Order of Australia in the General Division for service to the community of Murgon. In addition to being on the committee of the club, Mr Garaghty’s roles include being President of the Murgon Business and Development Association, member of the Rotary Club of Murgon, Editor of Murgon Moments Newsletter and instigator of the Inaugural Murgon Rail Trail and Running Festival.
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Team Newsletter September/October 2020
North Brisbane MARA Program at PCYC Zillmere wins Child Protection Award The MARA (Multi-Agency Re-engagement ASDAN) Program run at PCYC Zillmere has won a Child Protection Award for Education Initiative. Started in 2018, MARA is an alternative schooling model for disengaged or at-risk young people to help keep them out of the Youth Justice system, build confidence, selfesteem and assist with learning support. Working with Education Queensland, the program offers the opportunity to return to mainstream school, other alternative schools such as Jabiru, or enter traineeships or the workforce. The award was presented to teacher Katina, and teachers aide Harry.
PCYC Bayside hosts interclub training day PCYC Bayside hosted an interclub gymnastics training day recently with coaches supporting 15 athletes with additional training and techniques to be able to safely land high level skills such as double somersaults and twisting manoeuvres. It is great to see our newly renovated facility being used to support other clubs and members!
This month also saw the return of HELP disability care. Our gymnastics team work closely with participants on a weekly basis, to help support life skills and physical activities, and are always rewarded with big smiles and huge caring hearts!
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Team Newsletter September/October 2020
Brisbane / South West Queensland PCYC Ipswich KinderGym holds pirate week PCYC Ipswich KinderGym kids had fun dressing up for Pirate Week, as they walked the plank and searched for gold!
PCYC Lang Park Flashback! PCYC Lang Park was front page news in 2009 in the Westside News, in celebration of our 60th Anniversary. “For some, Lang Park PCYC has been a launching pad for Olympic glory. For others, the club has been their rock – steering them out of trouble with the law. But for most – the tens of thousands of members in the past half-century – just being part of Brisbane’s history has been reward enough. What started as a project to combat juvenile delinquency has gone beyond its original charter.”
Introducing PCYC Toowoomba gymnastics coach Meet PCYC Toowoomba gymnastics coach, Peter Walker, who has been coaching at the club for several years. Starting gymnastics at an early age, Peter went on to compete in Level 4 and his favourite apparatus was high bar. Peter says, “As a coach, I really enjoy being able to see every child’s improvement. And I want to make sure that every gymnast has fun while doing the sport!”
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Team Newsletter September/October 2020
Gold Coast / South East Queensland PCYC Mount Gravatt PCYC Mt Gravatt recently hosted a graduation for participants of this term’s Girls United program, with participants attending every Monday afternoon for eight weeks to develop their confidence, resilience and general life skills. PCYC Mt Gravatt also recently held an Art Show and Awards Ceremony to acknowledge the young artists who entered their work in the club’s Art Competition. The young artists aged between 9 and 18 years old, all entered different art works to depict the theme of Queensland Child Protection Week, ‘Protecting children is everyone’s business’.
PCYC Redlands’ Blue Edge excursion On 15 September, the PCYC Redlands Blue Edge cohort travelled to Stradbroke Island for their end of program excursion, with those who had an acceptable attendance rate and positive program engagement level permitted to attend. As a reward for their hard work and dedication, the young people were treated to some sand boarding in the morning followed by kayaking in the afternoon. Teamwork and leadership activities were the basis of the days’ activities and the day went off without a hitch. Thanks to Capalaba Police Station Senior Constables Jo Elmy and Dylan Johnston, and two teachers from Capalaba High School who accompanied PCYC Redlands club manager Sergeant Graham Pearse on the day.
PCYC Carindale gymnastics coach receives great testimonial PCYC Carindale gymnastics coach Taylor receives a wonderful testimonial from a parent: “I just wanted to offer my congratulations for your programs and for your instructor, Taylor. My son first attended Kindy Scramblers at PCYC Carindale almost three years ago, and we have found the staff and programs generally excellent. But it has been Taylor's patient attention, her genuine care for the children, and her gentle enthusiasm that allowed my son to really relax and try new challenges. He is a shy boy, and a bit nervous with new things, but Taylor has always managed to ease his worries and gently support him to a point where he now tackles new activities each day and with a real joy. I have seen my son learn that the very process of trying, which can even be daunting for adults, can be loads of fun. I am now seeing him trusting himself and his abilities more and more, and that honestly brings me great joy as a father. So, thank you to you, the PCYC Carindale staff, and to Taylor for all your efforts.”
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Team Newsletter September/October 2020
Other News PCYC Torres Strait Programs helping young people and families in need In partnership with SecondBite and with the help of staff, police officers and local Police Liaison Officers (PLOs), PCYC Queensland’s Torres Strait Programs team has helped to implement the SecondBite Community Connect Program, a new initiative for the Torres Strait to support children, young people and families. The SecondBite Community Connect Program is an innovative model of food rescue that facilitates the redistribution of surplus fresh food from local food donors directly to local community groups. Supported by Coles supermarkets in Edmonton, Mount Sheridan and Clifton Beach who donate perishable and non-perishable grocery items, our staff collect and distribute food packages directly to vulnerable families with the help of local PLOs. PCYC Torres Strait Programs Manager Donna Corrie is thrilled to support the program, saying it helps vulnerable families across Far North Queensland, as well as supplying regular shipments to Thursday and Horn Islands for their students.
“Our staff and PLOs fully connect with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families across the region through the Community Connect Program, which obviously sheds a positive and encouraging light on their engagement with young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island people and improving opportunities,” said Ms Corrie. “Thanks also to generous support from shipping company Sea Swift, our team have the capacity to support young people from the Inner Islands (Horn Island, Thursday Island, Hammond Island and Prince of Wales Island), as well as students from the Outer Islands who attend school at Tagai State College (Thursday Island Secondary) during school terms,” she said. “The SecondBite program directly assists with a supply of foods for a healthy and nourishing food program for the students.” “It also enables us to teach students about important transferable skills at their breakfast and lunch programs such as being organised, being accountable, responsibility, time management and other skills to help them at home, with their academic achievements, their wellness and career prospects.” “We have received fantastic feedback regarding the effectiveness of our staff delivering this essential service. Due to the success of the program we have seen improvements in students’ school attendance, behaviour, health and wellbeing.”
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Team Newsletter September/October 2020
Other News continues... Statewide Activ8 8-week challenge Congratulations to those clubs who signed up members for the first statewide Activ8 8-week Challenge, which commenced on 5 October! Participating members will receive: Strength workouts specifically designed for use in our gyms High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) workouts Video demonstrations
Supportive online community of statewide participants Additional weekly online challenges
Tools to monitor your improvement Extensive range of nutritious recipes with calorie and macronutrient breakdowns Weekly meal plans and shopping lists
Educational blogs and motivational tips from qualified Trainers
PCYC Wynnum OSHC eco walk PCYC Wynnum OSHC students recently demonstrated Eco citizenship in action as they successfully tracked down rubbish hiding in the school gardens. The students were all very pleased with how much rubbish they found and prevented from entering our waterways and beautiful bay.
Optional extras including fitness testing and weight tracking Automatic entry into prize draw to win Garmin Smart Watch
QPS PCYC Management Team receive awards Congratulations to all our QPS team who recently received medals issued by Commissioner Carroll:
Senior Sergeant Stephen Muller – 40 year clasp to the Qld Police Service Medal
Senior Sergeant Kyle Gould Sergeant Kevlynn Janz – – 30 year clasp to the Qld 30 year clasp to the Qld Police Service Medal Police Service Medal
Senior Sergeant Tracey Meyers – National Police Service Medal and National Medal (15 years’ Service)
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Team Newsletter September/October 2020
Health & Wellbeing Corner Mental Health Week ‘Take Time’
During your career it is highly likely you will work with or manage someone with a mental health condition, whether you know it or not. It is a fact that one in five Australians experience a mental health condition in any year and one in two Australians will experience a mental health condition in their lifetime. Astonishingly 60% of people suffering from a mental illness will not seek help. Eight people in Australia die every day of suicide. When it comes to mental health at work, it is important to take time. ■ Take time to learn…the importance of a mentally healthy workplace. ■ Take time to connect – find your tribe. Check in with work mates. ■ Learn how to recognise and understand the early warning signs. ■ Take time to enjoy the moment, at home….AND at work. Celebrate victories big and small. ■ Take time for you. Breathe. ■ Take time to be active and get proactive about looking after your mental health. ■ Make sure you get plenty of sleep, fuel your body AND your mind. PCYC Queensland’s Employee Assistance Program provider is 100% confidential and available 24/7. Contact Lifeworks on 1300 361 008. If you are concerned about a friend or loved one, ask them how you can help. The first step for a person with symptoms of a mental illness is to see a doctor or other healthcare professional. Or if you think someone is at immediate risk of suicide or self-harm, dial 000 and ask for an ambulance. More places you can get help: Beyond Blue
beyondblue.org.au
1300 224 636
Black Dog Institute
blackdoginstitute.org.au
-
Lifeline
lifeline.org.au
13 11 14
Mental Illness Fellowship of Australia
mifa.org.au
1800 985 944
ReachOut
au.reachout.com
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Sane Australia
sane.org
1800 187 263
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Team Newsletter September/October 2020
Profiles
Staff Stacey Vanderwegen Gymnastics Coach PCYC Hervey Bay When did you become involved with PCYC Queensland? I became involved with PCYC Queensland 20 years ago. I have a lifelong background in gymnastics being involved since I was six years old, and I first volunteered at PCYC Hervey Bay as the gymnastics coach. I loved the club and the people, and the coach at the time saw my ability and the opportunity to retire and train her successor…so I gained my official Gymnastics Queensland accreditation through the club, and I am still here 20 years later!
Do you have a favourite PCYC Queensland moment? I love teaching young people and nurturing them along their journeys. I am proud of the long-term relationships we build with our members – there are many gymnasts who have been with the club for years, and who are now bringing their own children back! There are many young gymnasts who I have mentored along the way, who have then gone onto become junior coaches themselves, and I find it very rewarding to instil that passion in others.
What does PCYC Queensland mean to you?
One of my gymnasts started with us in Recreational gymnastics, then in her last years of high school became a beginner coach. Now she is fully accredited, and in the throes of becoming an Advanced Coach, and she is still at PCYC Hervey Bay!
PCYC Hervey Bay is my second home. I am proud to be part of an organisation that I believe in, and one that lives up to its values.
I also love our club’s Hollywood Walk of Fame – where if you manage to stay for 10 consecutive years at the club, you earn yourself 10 stars!
I feel blessed to have a lifelong passion in gymnastics and I love coaching and teaching lifelong skills. I believe gymnastics offers everyone the opportunity to have a go and feel like they are part of something.
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Team Newsletter September/October 2020
Profiles continued... What have you most enjoyed about your time on the Board? When I reflect on my time with PCYC Queensland and the journey the organisation has taken, it has been a fantastically rewarding experience. I have seen the full reinvention of the organisation including a new Board structure, our first civilian CEO, a Deed of Agreement with the Queensland Police Service and the implementation of modernised systems for human resources, finance, reporting and point of sale. When I started, frankly we were an organisation that was haemorrhaging funds. We were unable to report accurately, our clubs operated individually, and we were financially insecure and on the verge of bankruptcy. Now we are an organisation that has a strong culture, is in a strong financial position despite COVID, and following the shutdown – we have a positive and energetic new lease on life. It has not been an easy path, but I can honestly say that I am leaving a stronger, more resilient organisation than the one I inherited. What have been some of your highlights as Board Chairman?
Board Chairman Garry Humphries When did you start at PCYC Queensland? I have been involved with PCYC Queensland for more than 15 years. I joined the Board nine years ago in 2011, and I have been Board Chairman for the past five years. Our Constitution stipulates that after nine years of continuous service a Board Director must step down for at least 12 months, and my turn will come at this year’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) in November I will vacate the chairman’s position knowing that I am leaving behind an organisation that is financially strong, culturally positive and resilient enough to meet the challenges in our post-COVID world.
One of my proudest moments was at our AGM three years ago when club managers voted away their own right to vote, meaning that we had absolutely transitioned from a group of individual clubs to a modern day unified charity, showing trust in me as chair and in Phil as our CEO. Watching the exponential success of our Braking the Cycle program has also been a highlight. The program received a Prince Michael International Road Safety Award in December 2018, an award that was instrumental in PCYC securing just under $16 million from the Motor Accident Insurance Commission. Another significant highlight has been the creation of the PCYC Legacy Club Membership for families who have sadly lost a loved one in the line of duty, whether they be from the police, defence forces, ambulance and fire and emergency services. Not only does our program support families with support and access, but the establishment of our legacy club has also led to the development of other emergency services legacy programs.
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Team Connect What are you most excited about for the future of PCYC Queensland? I am excited about the possibilities of PCYC Queensland going international. I think it is incredibly important to broaden the horizons of the young people we interact with and encourage them to rise above the local challenges and limitations their present lives may place upon them. If young people can travel and see what is going on in the world, it means they gain a global understanding, and immerse themselves in everything our global communities have to offer. I would love to see youth exchange programs established with other great worldwide organisations like Police Athletics League and Boys & Girls Clubs of America for example, to allow our young people to travel, gain a global perspective and make achievement infinitely possible. What are you planning to do once you step down as Board Chair? I will still continue to volunteer at my local PCYC Toowoomba club…I’m sure you’ll see me at all the sausage sizzles and chook raffles and then once I’ve had my year off from the Board I’ll probably return once more and proudly serve our new Board Chair.
Team Newsletter September/October 2020
Do you have any final comments? I remember back to being around 13 years old and I was frankly a bit of a lout. The local Cannon Hill police sergeant at the time knew who I was, and knew who my family was. And because he actually cared about community policing, he gave me a kick up the bum and started me with the National Fitness Council where I spent every school holidays for the next six years helping run Youth Camps. That police officer changed my path in life. The introduction to youth clubs at that age led me to a lifetime of working passionately in the field of community development and I am still paying forward what that police officer did for me. PCYC Queensland will continue to improve and continue to help change young people’s lives. We will continue to make sure our clubs are in the right location, offering the right programs, with the right level of support. So have fun, keep a youth focus, keep the club doors open, look after one another and don’t sweat the small stuff!
Dr Cassandra Cross has been selected as our incoming Board Chair, who I am absolutely thrilled is taking on the reins, and I look forward to seeing where she will take PCYC over future years.
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Team Newsletter September/October 2020
Profiles continued... Mrs Paxton’s daughters Maree Hockings and Kaye Wrigley said their mum and late father Andy left a strong imprint on their “family way of life”. “The family is shocked by the sudden passing of Betty and she was much loved and will be missed by many.” Betty is survived by her daughters, their husbands Nev and Tom, four grandchildren and their partners and six great-grandchildren. A snapshot of some of Betty’s milestones in her larger than life success story: ■ In 1966 Betty commenced volunteering at PCYC Redcliffe ■ In 1967 Betty established softball at PCYC Redcliffe with Brisbane Softball Association ■ In 1983 Betty wanted PCYC Redcliffe to have their own Softball association so she registered and started it ■ In 2000 Betty’s contribution to the sport and the youth of Redcliffe was recognised when she received a Medal (OAM) in the General Division of the Order of Australia
Volunteer Vale – Betty Paxton At 90 years young, PCYC Queensland’s longest serving volunteer Betty Paxton passed away on 26 September 2020. For more than 50 years, Betty Paxton devoted her life to softball and the youth of Redcliffe, and her death has prompted tributes from community leaders and many others who knew her as ‘Bet’ or ‘Aunty Betty’. Mrs Paxton shared her love of softball with generations of players since she first picked up a bat in 1948. She even celebrated her 90th birthday last November at the softball field, coaching her tee-ball team which included greatgrandchildren Dakota and Lawson.
■ In 2000 the council named the Redcliffe Softball Association fields in her name, now called “The Betty Paxton Field” ■ In 2020 Betty was still coaching tee-ball and softball at PCYC Redcliffe PCYC Redcliffe Softball President David McDonald said she was the heart, soul and backbone of PCYC Redcliffe and Redcliffe Softball. “She always greeted you with a smile, kiss and a ‘hello love!’,” Mr McDonald said. “Known to many as Aunty Betty, she has touched many of lives over the years. Betty has coached and been a part of this club for so long she has been a part of three generations of some people’s families. We mourn her but she will be forever intertwined in the fabric of our softball community.”
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Team Newsletter September/October 2020
PCYC Queensland in the community
PCYC Queensland was one of 200 charities to receive a Commbank Staff Foundation Community Grant of $10,000, which will go towards running our RUBY program at PCYC Gold Coast. Our GM Indigenous Programs Andy Cassidy along with CEO Phil Schultz, Inspector Brett Barber and Superintendent Steve Collins on a recent trip to Doomadgee at Doomadgee Aboriginal Shire Council’s invitation.
PCYC Bayside’s recently refurbished gymnastics space welcomes back members!
Our QPS PCYC Management Team at QPS Headquarters recently.
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Congratulations to Melissa Caletti from PCYC Fernvale and Jannah Dymnycz from State Office, whose bowling team won their zone title against North Toowoomba at Toowoomba Bowls Club. They will now go onto play in the Ladies Pairs section of the State Pennant Lawn Bowl Titles being held at Capalaba Bowls club in November, good luck ladies! Beloved club member Macey pays a visit to PCYC Beenleigh.
PCYC Redcliffe club manager Sergeant Ty Connell discussing Child Protection Week issues with Scarborough students.
Congratulations to our Healthy Bodies Healthy Minds Program Manager, Dr Justin Chapman, who recently received a 2020 Mental Health Impact Award from Australian Rotary Health at the Society of Mental Health Research virtual conference in recognition of his outstanding work with QIMR Bergerhofer across research, mental health service and community sectors.
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