Disengaged youth on the Sunshine Coat have been learning how to make a didgeridoo (yidaki) as a strategy to prevent crime and promote cultural awareness.
The initiative, run by a Queensland Police Service police liaison officer in conjunction with Project Booyah, aims to provide these young people with a positive and productive activity, increasing their engagement while also teaching them about the importance of Indigenous culture.
According to the QPS officers and staff involved in the program, many of the youths who participate in the program have never had the opportunity to learn about Indigenous culture or make a didgeridoo before.
By providing them with this experience, they hope to encourage an understanding and appreciation for the culture of the First Nations People.
In addition to promoting cultural awareness, the program also serves as a crime prevention tool. The officers believe that by keeping these young people engaged in productive activities, they are less likely to be involved in criminal activities or become victims of crime.
The program has received positive feedback from both the participants and the wider community. Parents and community members have expressed their appreciation for the program, highlighting the positive impact it has had on the youths involved.
Project Booyah is a Queensland Police-led early intervention initiative that has proven to be successful at re-engaging at-risk young people with their families, communities and education opportunities to set them up for the future.
Acting Superintendent Rob Fleischer said the 16-week program connects with 14- to 17-year-olds who are at risk of, or already involved in, criminal behaviour.
“The support doesn’t stop after the program finishes, these young men and women are supported through an additional program until they turn 18,” he said.
“Last year across Queensland, we saw 82 per cent of graduates achieve a Certificate II Foundation Skills Training Qualification, 77 per cent re-enter the education system, 46 per cent engage in further education or training, 33 per cent undertake work experience and 28 per cent obtain employment through taking part in the program.
“It’s great to see these important outcomes achieved across a diverse cohort of young people, including 43 per cent who identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander and 10 per cent who are from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.”
State manager of youth programs Acting Inspector James Steginga said he looked forward to seeing what this year’s cohort achieved.
“At the start of the course, we often experience challenging behaviours but it’s rewarding to see how much their demeanour changes and self-confidence increases when they graduate,” he said.
“We appreciate the challenges these kids face at home, in their communities or peer groups. Our desire is to see them succeed through re-engagement into further education or employment and we work with them until that’s their reality.
“The Project Booyah program is an opportunity to change perceptions and relationships between young people and police and we often see lasting relationships formed.”
Project Booyah operates in partnership with PCYC on the Sunshine Coast and nine other locations around Queensland: Cairns, Townsville, Mackay, Rockhampton, Moreton, Logan, South Brisbane and Gold Coast.
This column is compiled by the Sunshine Coast District Crime Prevention Unit.
If you have information for police, contact Policelink by providing information using the online suspicious activity form 24 hours a day at Queensland Police – Reporting.
You can also report crime information anonymously via Crime Stoppers. Call 1800 333 000 or report online at Crime Stoppers.
