Minister congratulates Project Booyah graduates

Minister for Police and Minister for Corrective Services, the Honourable Mark Ryan, congratulated 11 Project Booyah participants from the Redcliffe and Pine Rivers area who graduated today.

Project Booyah aims to give at-risk young people skills for life and employability through police mentoring, leadership skills, adventure-based learning and vocational pathways.

These methods help them feel validated, regain a sense of their own self-worth and build resilience.

The 11 newest graduates have successfully completed a 17-week course and were acknowledged at the graduation ceremony last night by Minister Ryan.

Minister Mark Ryan said the graduates are yet another positive example of the work Project Booyah is providing to the Queensland community.

“These young Queenslanders have been mentored by police officers in their local areas and should feel incredibly proud of themselves for completing the program,” Minister Mark Ryan said.

“They have worked hard to develop necessary life skills that will assist them in making better choices in future.”

“I wish all graduates of Project Booyah success in the future and you should all be very proud of your achievements over the past few months.”

The 11 graduates of the Redcliffe and Pine Rivers program are among 71 young people graduating the 17-week community award winning program this month in Cairns (8), Ipswich (9), Gold Coast (8), Logan (8), Redlands (11), Rockhampton (9) and Townsville (7).

Detective Senior Sergeant Ian Frame said police officers provide a positive channel to re-engage with the youth in the local community.

“We are continually amazed at how many young people have the courage to ask for help and want to change their lives with the assistance of police,” Detective Senior Sergeant Frame said.

“Early intervention and improved relations with police and authority is an important step in helping to eliminate repeatedly exhibited anti-social tendencies, improve health, education and employment opportunities and reduce crime and incarceration rates of young people.”

Since February 2016, Project Booyah has invited 435 young people to take on this challenging program across Queensland of which 362 graduated at a rate of around 83 per cent.

Media contacts 

Minister Ryan’s Office:  Ph: (07) 3035 8300

Police Media:  Ph: (07) 3015 2444