PCYCs to help deliver a healthier future for Indigenous Communities

Sport Minister Judy Spence has pledged funding to expand the work of PCYCs to support Indigenous communities that go dry.

Ms Spence said: “Sport and recreational activities offer a significant alternative to substance abuse and other problems in our Indigenous communities.

“When kids have access to sport and recreation activities, it not only keeps them active, but overcomes boredom and truancy – which often contributes to dysfunctional behaviour in Indigenous communities.

“$7.6 million will be made available over four years to expand the Queensland Police Citizen’s Youth Welfare Association’s Community Activity Program through Education (CAPE) initiative in a number of Indigenous communities.

“This program will assist targeted Indigenous communities that elect to go dry as part of the Government’s alcohol reform process.

“The CAPE program has been successful in Indigenous communities such as Wujal Wujal, Hopevale and Napranum – and we want to build on this platform”.

“Also complementing the CAPE initiative will be a new model to support the employment of sport and recreation officers in Indigenous communities.

“This model will be delivered in partnership with the Queensland Police Youth Welfare Association and other organisations to ensure that sport and recreation officers are being mentored, developed and are better able to deliver meaningful programs and services on the ground.

“These commitments are about delivering local, practical solutions that will improve the quality of life for Queensland’s Indigenous communities.

“We want a better lifestyle for Indigenous people and a brighter future for the children and young people growing up in these communities”.

“To do this, we need to ensure we are working with those organisations like PCYC’s which have a proven track record in delivering programs and services in Indigenous communities”, Ms Spence said.

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