Team Connect
Team Newsletter Spring 2021
Message from CEO As we end another year of continued COVID-19 challenges including border closures, further lockdowns and the reality of restrictions, I truly believe in the adage that out of adversity comes opportunity. The changes implemented across the organisation, in line with our new 20212023 Strategic Plan, have allowed us to adapt and respond to these challenges. As a result, we are emerging in a stronger, more streamlined way with a renewed sense of who we are and what we do. PCYC Queensland’s greatest achievements continue to be seen through the young people we support and their participation in our key programs and activities. There are many highlights to celebrate this year including: ■ Motor Accident Insurance Commission’s (MAIC) $15.96 million-dollar five-year commitment to continue expansion of our Braking the Cycle program ■ Development of our Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP), to be launched in February 2022 ■ Participation in the Containers for Change scheme ■ Funding, expansion and newly won outside school hours care (OSHC) services ■ Launch of our exclusive under 5s program Little n Active ■ The opening of our brand new PCYC Logan facility I am incredibly proud of what PCYC Queensland has achieved this year with support from our staff, police officers and volunteers, and I look forward to seeing what 2022 brings. Phil Schultz Chief Executive Officer
Continuing to change young people’s stories The faces you see before you represent just five of thousands of young people you and our donors have supported. Calob, Yousuf, Heather, Angel and Chelsea’s stories are not unlike those of the 50,000 young people PCYC Queensland supports throughout the state – stories of poverty, isolation, and uncertain futures. You have helped these young people to change their stories. Because of you, Calob, Yousuf, Heather, Angel and Chelsea’s stories are now ones of education, empowerment, and bright prospects. Whether it was through earning their driver’s licence, upskilling to secure employment, improving outcomes for their community by connecting with police officers or exploring their leadership potential; these young people have used the support and mentoring offered by staff to set their sights higher than ever before. Yousuf “I am currently pursuing my studies in human services, focusing on disability and refugees. I am also working part time and am heavily involved in my community – playing various sports, mentoring young people and helping people whose first language is not English to navigate life in Australia.” Tyrone “Four years later, through tutoring support and being involved in Braking the Cycle, I am proud to say I have successfully completed Year 12, I am currently attending university studying nursing, and I have also gained my driver’s licence. And now, I have landed my dream job at Apple!” Heather “I have found a new passion for coaching since retiring as a professional gymnast myself. Through my role as a coach at PCYC Logan, I guide young gymnasts in our Recreational to High Performance teams and hope to become a National Squad Coach and a Brevet Judge in the future. Outside of gymnastics, I am studying Software Engineering at University and looking forward to completing my degree and pursuing a career in this exciting field.”
Building safer, healthier communities through youth development
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Team Connect
Team Newsletter Spring 2021
Far North Queensland
Mareeba Oztag Carnival Mareeba held their League Tag Carnival in October with teams from Kuranda, Yarrabah, Cairns and Mareeba participating in a hot day of fun and friendly competition. The finals came down to Kuranda vs Yarrabah, and despite it being a close game, Kuranda came out on top. Thank you to all our staff and volunteers for a wonderful and smoothly run day!
Danielle from PCYC Mount Isa Gets Set For Work Congratulations to PCYC Mount Isa’s Get Set For Work participant Danielle, on her recent employment with Red Oasis childcare! Danielle is very excited for her future in childcare and we are all so proud of her and wish her luck with all her future endeavours.
PCYC Cooktown’s up and coming hip hoppers! Young members who took part in PCYC Cooktown’s scooter and hip hop workshops, recently created their own video ‘Keep Our Mind Clear’! Creating all the lyrics themselves, the message of the song is to encourage young people to stay away from drugs and alcohol, and they did a fantastic job. Many thanks to Oriel and the Gungarde crew for your support, and to the funding body, The Australian Drug and Alcohol Foundation.
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Team Connect North Queensland
Team Newsletter Spring 2021
Ayr State High School students complete PCYC Burdekin’s Blue Edge
PCYC Bowen host Braking the Cycle Community Day
Congratulations to students from Ayr State High School, who recently completed the Blue Edge program with PCYC Burdekin youth club manager Sergeant Andrew Sherrington. Blue EDGE (Educate, Develop, Grow, Empower) is an 8-week program of physical training designed to extend a young person’s mind and physical capability, and includes career education, motivational speakers and mentoring with a view to having youth actualise their potential. On the final day the group conquered Mt Inkerman Hill!
PCYC Bowen recently hosted a Braking the Cycle Community Day, featuring demonstrations from Queensland Fire & Rescue Authority (QFRA) and the Queensland Police Service (QPS) using the jaws of life to simulate what they would do responding to a serious accident. Thanks to our R.U.B.Y Crew members for face painting, Coffee at Barbs/Coffee 4U, Catastrophic Level Events and the Bowen Driving School for coming along, and to Danny & Terry Brazil for safely delivering the vehicle that was cut up in the demo!
PCYC Townsville members are Braking the Cycle Chez and Jamaal are two young men who have been involved with the Indigenous Community Sport and Recreation Program for many years at PCYC Townsville and are now continuing their journey with PCYC Queensland as Braking the Cycle participants. PCYC Townsville Braking the Cycle Coordinator Ryan Shallis said Chez and Jamaal cannot wait to gain their licence’s, knowing they will be able to get to work without relying on other people, and be able help their families out with everyday tasks and be good role models for their family and community. “These young men are both safe, respectful and valuable members of the community who are achieving goals and working towards getting provisional licences. The Indigenous Programs team has done a fantastic job in assisting these young men achieve goals including support with transport, licencing, employment and community engagement,” said Ryan.
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Team Connect
Team Newsletter Spring 2021
Central Queensland
PCYC Hervey Bay ready for the disco Janna visited PCYC Hervey Bay recently, all ready for the disco. When Janna met youth club manager Sergeant Leigh Nancarrow, she told her she wants to be a police officer when she is older. When Sgt Nancarrow presented Janna with her own official badge, she was clearly wrapped!
PCYC Bundaberg Blazers A shout out to our PCYC Bundaberg Blazers Youth Group who have been coordinating the Bundaberg Chinese Dragon and Lion Dance Team for ten years. In that time, the team has performed all over Queensland at festivals, cultural and significant events, and last year were invited to visit Bundaberg’s Sister City Nanning in China to compete in the 2021 Qingxiu District (Nanning) International Invitational Tournament of Traditional Dragon Dance. Despite COVID-19 preventing the team from travelling, the team submitted a video featuring one of their performances with support from Bundaberg Regional Council and won an Outstanding Performance Award! A huge thank you to all the amazing volunteers that make this possible, and to Trevor Standfast for leading the team to great effect!
PCYC Gladstone Deep Blue Line PCYC Gladstone’s Deep Blue Line program participants learnt how to choose, prepare, cook and eat the perfect BBQ steak. Our volunteer mentor for the session was experienced chef Mark Brookes who donated his time and talent. Mark is also a passionate men's mental health advocate (ride4lives.org) and shared the R U OK? message with the young men. Thanks also to Port City Meats who donated the excellent meat for the program.
Building safer, healthier communities through youth development
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Team Connect
Team Newsletter Spring 2021
North Brisbane
PCYC Caboolture supports Moreton Bay Regional Council’s Bribie Project PCYC Caboolture’s youth club manager Sergeant Bob McDonald enjoyed a great afternoon at Brennan Park, Bongaree in support of Moreton Bay Regional Council’s Bribie Project to raise awareness of PCYC Caboolture programs and activities. Thanks to S/Sgt James Nelson from Bribie Police, S/Sgt Tracey Meyers, Sgt Ty Connell from Blue Light Association and Kit Berkelmans from PCYC Deception Bay for helping make the day a success!
Meet PCYC Bayside’s Gym+Fitness Manager
PCYC Sandgate gymnasts hold cupcake stall to raise funds Congratulations to the PCYC Sandgate Opals Level 3-4 Squad, who held their very own Cupcake Stall to fundraise for PCYC Sandgate gymnastics, raising an incredible $285 for the club!! We are so in awe of these gymnasts who came up with this idea to fundraise for their gymnastics club, all on their own! Thank you girls, for your dedication, commitment, and love for the club, it is incredibly inspiring and so appreciated!
■ Name: Luke Gauci ■ Birthplace: Sydney ■ Favourite colour: Depends on the context but I’ll go with orange or yellow ■ Favourite Food: Pasta ■ Favourite Artists: Mix of genres - Kanye West, Drake, Rufus Du Sol and Red Hot Chilli Peppers to name a few! ■ Interests/Life Outside Work: Keeping fit and active, watching sport, spending time with my partner and friends over coffee or a drink ■ Why PCYC Queensland: I love that PCYC Queensland cycles its revenue back through the clubs to run programs that benefit the community. I enjoy seeing the gym+fitness members enjoy the group fitness classes and making progress in the gym!
Building safer, healthier communities through youth development
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Team Connect
Team Newsletter Spring 2021
Brisbane / South West Queensland PCYC Toowoomba introduces youth development programs to Oakey PCYC Toowoomba’s Program Coordinator Katarina has introduced our youth development programs to neighbouring town, Oakey as the Oakey Connect Coordinator. Aimed at providing support for young people aged 12-24 years, young people are welcome to come along to the Oakey Skatepark from 3 5pm on Thursdays to have a chat to Kat about all of our wonderful programs and activities to: ■ Re-engage with school and the community ■ Have the opportunity to participate in alternative activities and entice young people away from negative behaviour ■ Assist the development of healthy relationships with themselves and others ■ Create a positive impact on youth mental health
Little n Active commences at PCYC Fernvale! PCYC Fernvale is so excited our exclusive under 5s program Little n Active has commenced, and we would also like to introduce Miss Julie to the team as our Little n Active Leader. Miss Julie has extensive experience and a real passion for working with Under 5s.
“I absolutely love children’s enthusiasm and zest for life! I love watching them grow and develop and try new things and the joy they show as they participate. It’s great to be able to get to know the children and their special grown ups in an interactive inspiring environment like Little n Active.”
Our newest Little n Active members have been having a great time jumping, balancing, climbing, singing, exploring and going on a bear hunt during their first Little n Active themed classes!
Building safer, healthier communities through youth development
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Team Connect
Team Newsletter Spring 2021
Gold Coast / South East Queensland PCYC Gold Coast and PCYC Ashmore host gymnastics showcase Congratulations to PCYC Gold Coast and PCYC Ashmore, whose Gymnastics Coaches worked together to host a joint gymnastics showcase. Thank you to everyone involved! It was a fantastic day, and a fantastic display highlighting our capacity for teamwork, and our commitment to achieving objectives and great things for our young people.
PCYC Beenleigh host boxing session with Sunny Faces Early Learning Centre PCYC Beenleigh recently had the pleasure of having the kids from Sunny Faces Early Learning Centre participate in a boxing session with them! They learnt the fundamentals of boxing in a fun safe environment and a few of the kids got to have a friendly spar with Sergeant Dave.
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Team Connect
Team Newsletter Spring 2021
Other News Officeworks supports PCYC Queensland’s annual bursary program
ESCape Week 2021 ESCape Week 2021 saw 22 cadets, 3 cadet coaches and 4 adult leaders come together for a week of challenges and experiences with our partners from Queensland Fire and Emergency Services, Queensland Police Service (QPS), Marine Rescue Bribie Island 445 and Surf Life Saving Queensland Cadets experienced life inside volunteer marine rescue including how to throw a rope bag, swimming to a life raft, and learning how to use a marine flare. During the day with QPS, cadets saw demonstrations by the Dog Squad, Explosive Ordinance Response Team (EORT), Special Emergency Response Team (SERT), heard talks from Recruits and had a visit from PolAir. Kemp Place Fire and Rescue Station the team got to see the Fire Appliances, tour the fire station, have talks with the on-shift crew at Kemp Place, and enjoy a pizza night with the crew. They even got to see a turnout when one of the appliances was used to respond to an incident. Villeneuve Rural Fire Brigade showed the cadets a day in the life of rural firefighter, learning to use fire extinguishers, the fire truck hose reel and knapsack, before competing in teams in hose relay races that ended in an all-out water war. With the Surf Life Saving Queensland Coochiemudlo Island crew, cadets got to experience the Rescue Helicopter, Rescue Drone, Paddle boards, jet skis, and have a chat to the crew about what it means and takes to become a Surf Lifesaver. And thanks to our friends at QFES, cadets experienced a combined Emergency Services Academy, seeing the Live Fire Academy, Virtual Reality Room, Smoke Filled Room, before getting a Road Crash Rescue demonstration and getting to try their hands at the Road Crash Rescue tools.
PCYC Queensland OSHC services work within their schools and communities to break down financial barriers to education. Through our annual bursary and scholarship program we support schools in low-socio economic regional and metropolitan areas to provide selected families Officeworks gift cards to support their Back to School purchases. As a funding partner, Officeworks provided $10,000 in gift cards to support and reward 200 young Queenslanders across 36 schools state-wide. “My daughter, Eve Mitchell, is 10 and in grade 4 at Broadbeach State School. She was awarded the grade 4 ‘You Can Do It’ award from PCYC Broadbeach, and she’s been just so proud of herself, just thrilled! It’s an amazing thing to encourage the kids like this and I wanted you to know how much this means to her. She went to Officeworks after school today with the biggest smile to spend her voucher, and loved every second of it. One of the things she chose was a journal, and the first entry was about this award. Eve has Cystic Fibrosis and has such a big daily treatment load and has had a really hard year with it. I’m always so proud of her, but this year especially, to know that others also recognise how she gives every aspect of her life her all, means so much to us. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for making these awards possible. It does mean so much to them! – Mum, Megan Mitchell
Building safer, healthier communities through youth development
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Team Connect Health and Wellbeing Corner Beating Christmas Stress
Christmas can be a great time of year, time to take a break, relax, and spend time with friends and family. But for some, Christmas can bring extra stress and put a strain on health and wellbeing. From spending time with or without family and other special people, busy calendars, seemingly never-ending to do lists sometimes the festive season can seem more stressful than day to day life. If the holiday season is more stressful than relaxing for you, here are some tips to help manage stress over the Christmas period.
Focus on three essentials for the Holidays
If you’re stressed or overwhelmed, take some time to think about 3 things that make this time of year special for you, and focus on those things and what will be required to make them happen. This will help to identify the most important tasks when you’re pushed for time.
Where to meet
If you need to spend time with someone who stresses you out, consider the best place to catch up. Can you meet in public somewhere such as a café/ restaurant, or a local park, instead of someone’s house? This may help to limit unwanted behaviour and make it easier to time limit the catch up.
Asking for Help - Individuals vs Groups
We sometimes think it is easier to send a group message to ask for helpers, but it may be more effective to ask individuals to help with specific tasks - especially when you know family and friends’ interests, capabilities, and strengths. With group messages, there’s always the risk that everyone will sit back and wait for someone else to respond! Try asking for help from family/friends individually, and with specific tasks that are likely to be ‘do-able’.
What are your Stress Triggers?
Particularly if you are feeling really stressed and have trouble focussing or sleeping, spend some time thinking about and listing the particular things that are causing you stress, and work on strategies to address these specific things.
Budget Woes?
Money can be a big source of Christmas stress, with extra social activities, presents, special food and
Team Newsletter Spring 2021
Christmas groceries. It may not be easy but being honest with family and friends about a realistic budget will help to alleviate some of the Christmas stress. Family & friends may be feeling the same, and happy to talk about more budget friendly options for Christmas catch ups, and gift ideas.
The To-Do List
If you are feeling like things are out of control, or there’s just not enough time to get everything done, take 5 minutes to sit down and write [or re-write] your to-do list and action plan, focussing on: ■ What tasks you need to do before others can start doing their jobs? ■ Can the To-Do list be broken down into smaller more specific tasks? Making things more specific may help to identify things that others can do to help eg. Clean the living room, could be broken down into packing away, dusting, and vacuuming the living room – and kids/partners/other family/friends may be able to help with some of these! ■ Consider the best order to get everything done.
Things to focus on when you’re stressed
It’s important to remember the links between good physical health and mental health and wellbeing. Particularly if you are feeling stressed over the holiday period, focus on the 4 key health & wellbeing habits:
Sleep
Exercise
Eat Healthy
Relaxation or Meditation
Still Christmas stressed? Help is Available!
PCYC Queensland’s Employee Assistance Program (EAP) provider Lifeworks is available 24/7, providing a confidential assistance service for all staff and volunteers, to provide help and guidance on a range of issues including family, health, life, money, and work issues. For more information contact Lifeworks on 1300 361 008. Regardless of age, general check-ups are important and can help identify early signs of ill-health/disease and improve health outcomes. Talk to your doctor about the appropriate health checks for you, as the recommendations differ with age, gender, ethnicity, and family history.
Building safer, healthier communities through youth development
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Team Connect Profiles
Board Director Neil Scales Director-General, Department of Transport and Main Roads
How long have you been on the PCYC Queensland Board? I’ve been on the board since February 2015. Please tell us a little about your previous career experience. My career to date has seen me work across several industries and countries all over the world. It began back in my hometown of Sunderland in the northeast of England. Although I came from a family of miners my mother didn’t want me to go down that route, so she pointed me in a different direction and I was lucky enough to get a job as one of the last apprentices with Sunderland Corporation Transport. Throughout my early career I held a range of different jobs and did plenty of study along the way, from national and higher national certificate to Bachelor and master’s degrees. I came to Australia in 2012 as Chief Executive Officer of TransLink before being appointed to my current role -Director-General of the Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) - in March 2013. I’m also involved in a number of boards and groups including Austroads, Roads Australia, the Australia Road Research Board as well as PCYC Queensland and various others. I enjoy being able to engage with industry and the broader community, and this is one way I can do that. In terms of career highlights, there have been many. Being the Government Champion for Woorabinda, delivering a successful 2018 Commonwealth Games transport network and delivery of numerous capital projects.
Team Newsletter Spring 2021
What attracted you to the PCYC Queensland Board, and how does your background contribute to your position? I have worked with many not-for-profits in the past and I wanted to find a way to share that experience for the benefit of Queensland. I have seen the influence organisations like PCYC can have on our communities - particularly in shaping the next generation. This is increasingly important as we face some significant societal and environmental issues over the coming decades. To put it simply, it’s about ‘keeping kids in sport and out of court’ - but, of course, PCYC programs extend far beyond just sport. The better we can support our young people to thrive in whatever they are passionate about, the better equipped we will be for the future. Fundamentally, I am passionate about people. I say often that my legacy won’t necessarily be the roads and bridges built in my time as Director-General or my previous roles but will be the people I have worked with and helped throughout my career. My involvement in PCYC Queensland is another way I can bring this passion to life. What are you excited about for the future of PCYC Queensland? Ultimately, we want to make sure young people get the best possible opportunities which is exciting. Engaging and influencing them early is vital but how we do that is both an opportunity and challenge. Like all organisations, it will be important for PCYC Queensland to adapt to a post COVID-19 world. From digital transformation and working flexibly to how we interact with each other, many aspects of our lives have changed in a short period, so the opportunities are truly endless. As we’ve seen in the transport sector, people’s expectations are shifting so ensuring we keep up with what our members want and design services to suit will be critical. Seeing the next generation emerging with such a strong social conscience and drive to improve the world around them is encouraging - I’m confident the future is bright here in the sunshine state.
Building safer, healthier communities through youth development
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Team Connect
Team Newsletter Spring 2021
Profiles Staff
Volunteer
Lauren Coles Braking the Cycle Coordinator PCYC Gladstone
Stephen Johnson
What do you do at PCYC Gladstone? I am the Braking the Cycle program coordinator. A program that runs with a fantastic group of volunteers to help disadvantaged young people get their 100 hours of driving up to gain their Provisional Licence. What do you love most about your job? I love knowing that I am helping change lives and shape futures for the young people of our community. What is your career background? I have had a lot of roles in my working life, from Dominos delivery driver, running a bed and breakfast, to working for Qantas for many years and more recently working in schools. However, I am most proud of my time early on as a leader for disadvantaged youth camps and volunteering as a youth worker with different corporations. What are you grateful for today? Today I am grateful to be able to spend time with my beautiful Mum and to live in the beautiful sunshine state. Tell us a little about yourself? I enjoy being active, going to the gym and long walks, spending time with my wonderful family and going to the movies! What is your favourite food? Risotto and slow cooked lamb shanks! What do you enjoy doing on the weekend? Spending time with my family and friends and getting on top of housework.
PCYC Carindale
Why did you join PCYC Queensland? Because I wanted to mow all the lawns, pull weeds out, and meet new people at the PCYC and within the community. What do you enjoy about volunteering with PCYC Queensland? I enjoy mowing and emptying the grass as I think I do a good job. I also like meeting new friends at the PCYC. I really enjoy wearing the PCYC shirt also. What opportunities have you gained from being connected to PCYC Queensland? I feel very good working there and meeting new people. I have gained a lot of respect for the work PCYC staff do and they have made me feel a part of their team. What advice would you give a young person thinking of engaging with their local PCYC club? I would tell a young person to work there as it’s good work, I love the PCYC, and the staff there are very nice to talk to. What is your favourite PCYC Queensland moment? I couldn’t pick one but mowing the lawns and receiving the PCYC shirt are my favourite two. What does the future hold for you? I still want to be volunteering at the PCYC with mowing, emptying grass, pulling weeds and meeting new friends in the community.
What is your favourite animal? Orangutans!
Building safer, healthier communities through youth development
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Team Connect
Team Newsletter Spring 2021
PCYC Queensland in the community PCYC Logan Club Manager A/Sgt Cherie McLean and Logan New Directions Albert Ahkuoi presented Berrinba East State School with two new bikes and a scooter, built by young people who completed the JT Academy course. The PCYC Sandgate team showcase our gymnastics programs at the Bracken Ridge Plaza Community Day.
Thanks to community support, PCYC Fortitude Valley were the recent winners of the local Grill’d Local Matters campaign!
PCYC Lang Park showcasing our Reserve offer in the community at the Barracks !
Building safer, healthier communities through youth development
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Team Newsletter Spring 2021
Bardon OSHC, Brookfield OSHC, Hamilton OSHC and Hendra OSHC are excited to join the Tukkr trial.
PCYC Bayside club manager Mary Bottrell and Gym Manager Luke Gauci connecting with community at the Manly markets.
Inspector Brett Barber taking some time to talk to one of our volunteers on work experience from Redlands College, Connor, who is a year 10 student wants to become a Police Office in the future.
Deputy Commissioner Paul Taylor visited the PCYC Mount Isa team and also attended the Police Remembrance Day Candlelight Ceremony.
PCYC Mt Isa welcomed Queensland Indigenous Football and George Freeman for two days of fun, skill development, teamwork skills and confidence building.
Building safer, healthier communities through youth development
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Team Connect
Team Newsletter Spring 2021
The team at PCYC Woorabinda received a special visit from the Queensland Reds and Brad Thorn and were presented with a framed Reds jersey from last year's indigenous round.
PCYC Redlands was the lucky recipient of a $2,000 community cheque for youth development at the annual Redlands Police Officer of the Year Awards.
Future Aussie boxers with PCYC Nerang’s Gym Manager, Dan Stone!
Building safer, healthier communities through youth development
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