Well done to all the young people who submitted their artwork for our Youth Week Art Competition.
PCYC Queensland’s Youth Week Art Competition celebrates the creativity and unique perspectives of young artists across the state.
The competition invited young people to respond to the theme “One World, Many Stories,” and showcased a diverse range of artworks exploring identity, culture, connection and community.
After reviewing a strong field of entries from across Queensland, judges have recognised two standout young artists:
Both artists impressed judges with their creativity, originality and thoughtful interpretation of the theme, capturing powerful stories that reflect the richness and diversity of communities across Queensland.
PCYC Queensland General Manager of Youth and Community Programs Andy Cassidy said the quality of submissions made the judging process both inspiring and challenging.
“The artworks we received this year were absolutely amazing,” Andy said.
“From deeply personal reflections to vibrant cultural storytelling, young people across Queensland demonstrated incredible talent and insight.”
Amelia and Joanna will each receive an Apple iPad, as well as have their artwork featured in future PCYC Youth and Community Programs marketing materials.
Well done to all the young people who submitted their artwork.
Name: Amelia
Artwork title: Australian Stories Under the Rainbow
Artist Statement: Under the rainbow, I see the Australia I know—full of different families, cultures, and stories that make home more colourful.
Name: Joanna
Artwork title: Authors of the Future
Artist Statement: We all come from different backgrounds, places, and cultures, but together we write our own stories and pave a path to the future we will someday lead.
Through policing and mentorship, Sgt Chris Davey has made a positive impact on the young people all over Logan.
PCYC Crestmead’s Youth Club Program Manager, Sgt Chris runs youth programs After Dark, Drop In, Cadet Club, Team Up, Youth Leadership Team and CHAMP.
One of the most popular programs is Boxing After Dark, which attracts dozens of young people from across Logan each week.
Chris also leads PCYC Crestmead’s Youth Leadership Team (YLT) who are prolific in the Logan community as they work on developing the three pillars of club, community and self.
Chris said the YLT has formal debates about issues that affect them like e-scooters and the new social media laws, and they also visited state parliament, where they discussed Indigenous representation in Parliament as well as the social media ban.
“They have cleaned graffiti off club walls, helped the homeless, they play dodgeball and cook meals, they play ping pong and pool. We keep activities wide and varied to keep the young people interested,” Chris said.
At the recent ColourXplosion run fun, Jack from the YLT was chatting to some corporate partners in attendance who were so impressed with him they arranged for him to start an apprenticeship.
“It’s great to see a good kid getting an opportunity,” said Chris.
“Hopefully he’ll be a trailblazer who could open up doors for other young people.
“I hope this is the first step into a fulfilling and enriching career for Jack.”
Jack is a great example of YLT’s young people getting exposed to community and the great outcomes which can come from that.
Chris said there are so many reasons he loves his job.
“The kids keep me young! I’m 57, but still 27 at heart. I love watching them grow,” he said.
“Some of the kids spend more time here than at home, and some are here seven days a week so I embrace the opportunity to influence those young people positively.”
To celebrate National Volunteer Week we are proud to showcase some of our amazing volunteers:
John Tillman
For more than 13 years, John Tillman has made volunteering at PCYC Dalby part of his everyday life, turning up each morning to support student drivers and ensure young people can access education safely and reliably.
His commitment gives students, families, and staff a sense of reassurance that shapes the club’s Braking The Cycle program.
John has contributed more than 10,000 hours, in that time creating a structure that others can depend on. His background as a teacher adds depth to the way he supports young people and understands their needs.
For John, the value of volunteering lies in showing up and being present.
“I’ve always believed that if you can help someone start their day on the right foot, you’ve already made a difference,” John said.
That outlook has shaped every early morning he has given to the community.
He also sees the impact in the relationships he has built.
“You get to know the students and their families over time, and that connection makes it all worthwhile,” he said.
“It’s rewarding to know you’re part of something that helps them keep moving forward.”
Well into his 80s, John continues to offer his time because it gives him purpose. His contribution has strengthened community wellbeing by reducing barriers to education and employment and creating a supportive environment for young people.
Volunteering is a way of life for John. His dedication reflects a belief that small, consistent actions can create lasting change.
Julia Morahan
Julia Morahan brings energy and connection to her role as a volunteer with the PCYC Gold Coast Youth Leadership Team (YLT). The Youth Leadership Team is a social and leadership development group for high school aged young people who wish to improve their leadership skills, give back to their communities, and connect with them.
Since joining in 2018, Julia has built strong relationships with young people by showing up each week and contributing far beyond what is expected.
With more than 200 volunteer hours under her belt, Julia helps run activities, supports discussions, and creates a welcoming space where participants feel valued. Her involvement extends to planning programs, sourcing equipment, contributing ideas that keep the group engaged, and making sure the YLT have fun.
Julia’s background as a sponsored gamer gives her a unique way to connect with young people. She shares advice about online safety and career pathways, offering guidance that feels relevant to their interests.
She describes volunteering as a chance to give back in a meaningful way.
“I love being able to connect with young people over things they’re passionate about and help them see what’s possible,” Julia said.
“It’s such a rewarding feeling to watch them grow in confidence.”
Her impact can be seen in the growth of the Youth Leadership Team, which has expanded from four to 10 regular participants. Julia values that sense of progress.
“Seeing more young people turn up each week and get involved is what keeps me motivated,” she said.
For Julia, volunteering is about creating opportunities. She is committed to making sure young people feel supported and encouraged, and she finds fulfilment in helping them build skills and connections that will stay with them into the future.
Trevor Standfast
Trevor Standfast has spent more than two decades shaping opportunities for young people through his leadership of the Duke of Ed program at PCYC Bundaberg.
As founder of the club’s program, known locally as the Bundaberg Blazers, he has created a space where up to 50 young people at a time can explore new experiences and develop valuable skills.
The Blazers undertake activities like camping, canoeing, navigation, and teamwork, encouraging young people to step outside their comfort zone.
Trevor’s contribution includes more than 2,400 hours of volunteering, leading weekly sessions as well as organising adventurous journeys throughout the year.
He finds motivation in seeing young people grow.
“Watching young people discover what they’re capable of is what keeps me going,” Trevor said.
His leadership has helped create one of the most successful Duke of Ed programs in Queensland, with many participants going on to become active members of their community.
Trevor believes volunteering is about opening doors.
“When you give young people the chance to try new things and support them along the way, you can see their confidence grow,” he said.
Through his long-term dedication, Trevor has created a lasting impact on the young people pf Bundaberg. His work supports young people, builds confidence, strengthens community ties, and inspires young people to give back.
Dianne Dow
Dianne Dow is the heart of the Braking The Cycle program at PCYC Beenleigh, giving her time almost every day to support young people working towards their driver licence. Volunteering around 30 hours a week, she plays a vital role behind the scenes, helping the program run smoothly while providing steady encouragement to participants.
Her focus is on creating a safe and welcoming environment, especially for young people navigating anxiety, mental health challenges, or social barriers. Dianne meets each person where they are, helping them feel comfortable and building their confidence step by step.
For Dianne, volunteering is deeply personal.
“I love seeing young people realise they can do something they didn’t think was possible,” Dianne said.
She also values the connections she forms through the program.
“You get to know their stories, their challenges, and their goals,” she said.
“When they succeed, you feel like you’ve been part of something important.”
Dianne ensures every driving session feels calm and organised. This consistency has helped many participants stay engaged and achieve milestones that lead to greater independence and opportunity.
Dianne’s approach shows how much impact dedicated support can have.
Peter Hening
Peter Hening has quickly become an important part of the Braking the Cycle program at PCYC Gladstone, bringing a level of commitment that goes far beyond expectations.
In just two years, he has contributed more than 600 hours, supporting young people while also helping to keep the program running at full strength.
Peter combines mentoring with practical support. He helps organise events, maintain vehicles, recruit and train volunteers, and even steps into coordination roles when needed. His willingness to take on responsibility ensures participants continue to receive consistent support.
He is driven by the difference he sees in young people.
“Volunteering gives me the chance to help someone move forward in their life,” Peter said.
Peter also values being part of a team that supports the community.
“Everyone plays a role, and I enjoy stepping in wherever I can,” he said.
“It feels good to know you’re helping a young person succeed.”
Through his steady involvement, Peter has helped young people gain licences, improve confidence, and access new opportunities. He has also strengthened the program by building partnerships and supporting fellow volunteers.
Peter’s dedication and support leave a strong impression on everyone he works with.
Construction of a brand-new PCYC for Caloundra South is officially underway, with a sod-turning ceremony held this week to mark the milestone.
The new club is being built with $15 million of funding from the Queensland Government, and will provide a hub for youth programs, sport and connection.
The club is set in Caloundra’s Aura development, on land leased by Sunshine Coast Council to PCYC Queensland.
Currently, the closest PCYC to Caloundra is in Nambour.
PCYC Queensland CEO Phil Schultz said the new club will play a vital role in supporting young people in the community, as well as offering sport and recreation opportunities via Gymnastics and a 24/7 gym.
“This club will bring all of PCYC Queensland’s important youth programs to this community, and it’s heartening to see such strong backing from the local community and the government,” he said.
“We are so pleased that we will soon be able to deliver programs like Braking the Cycle, Youth Leadership Team, After Dark and Drop In to local young people, as well as our high-quality sport and recreation offerings.
“I look forward to seeing this club come to life, and thank everyone involved for their support. It underscores the immense value a PCYC brings to a community, and its positive impact on young lives.”
Kendall Hatcher MP, Member for Caloundra said the Queensland Government is proud to deliver a valuable new asset for the Caloundra community.
“Our PCYCs are wonderful community hubs that encourage people of all ages to stay active and healthy,” Ms Hatcher said.
“Importantly, they play a key role in supporting at-risk young people, offering positive pathways and a safe, welcoming place to connect with peers and the broader community.
“The Queensland Government is committed to helping more Queenslanders access these vital programs, with $74.1 million being invested in new and upgraded PCYCs across the state.”
Sunshine Coast Council Mayor Rosanna Natoli said breaking ground on the new PCYC marked an important milestone for Aura and the wider Sunshine Coast community.
“This is a significant achievement, it reflects the real benefits of different organisations working together towards a shared community outcome,” Mayor Natoli said.
“It’s a fantastic step forward for young people and families in our community – it will become a real hub for connection, support and opportunity,” Mayor Natoli said.
“PCYC facilities have a proven track record of delivering positive outcomes for youth, and this new centre will play a vital role in building a thriving, connected community as Caloundra South continues to grow.”
Youth Week 2026 saw a colourful array of activities across the state, celebrating our young people and the impact they have on their communities.
“Amped Up Youth Music Initiative absolutely rocked PCYC Bowen, wrapping up Youth Week with heart, talent, and a whole lot of noise.”
PCYC Bowen Club Manager Paul Ellis
“The young people at PCYC Crestmead really showed their true colours at our Colour Run held in the last week of the school holidays.”
Chris Davey, Youth Club Program Manager PCYC Crestmead
“Our PCYC ColourXplosion Fun Run was an outstanding success, and it was fantastic to see so many young people come together, get involved, and enjoy the energy, colour and fun!”
Leigh Nancarrow, PCYC Hervey Bay Youth Club Program Manager
“Yarry Youth Week Touch Tournament was a great success for the second year running. Yarrabah should be so proud of the amazing sportsmen and women this community is producing.”
Bridget Hughes, Youth Club Program Manager PCYC Yarrabah
“The young people of Aurukun were united in their quest for victory and there was plenty of action as they competed in their favourite sports and teamwork games”.
Steve Armstrong-Ravula, Youth Club Program Manager PCYC Aurukun
In a seriously fun move for children’s safety, Fun Squad launched Rights Around the World, which has been developed with Children’s Rights Queensland to support children’s understanding of their rights in everyday, real-life moments.
PCYC Queensland’s Fun Squad is one of the largest Outside School Hours Service providers in Queensland and is committed to teaching children positive behaviour, respectful relationships and a culture of inclusion with these new resources.
The Rights Around the World Big Activity Book introduces important rights such as safety, belonging, being heard, cultural identity, play and participation. The accompanying Rights Passport is a special passport that each child will use throughout 2026, and includes activities, personal reflection pages and opportunities to show learning and thinking.
PCYC’s Acting General Manager Fun Squad Karly Sheppard said these resources are already helping children learn about their rights in fun and meaningful ways.
“The Rights Around the World resources inspire children to explore, create, and take action, helping every child feel safe, respected, included, and heard,” Karly said.
“It’s a great way for children to start conversations about what rights are, why they are important, and what responsibilities come with those rights. We are already seeing some wonderful discussions happening.”
The resources support shared language about children’s rights across OSHC and school settings, enhance children’s emotional literacy and social skills, support positive behaviour, respectful relationships and a culture of inclusion and provide opportunities for children to express their ideas and participate in decision-making.
Rights Around the World Big Activity Book and Rights Passport are rolling out now in Fun Squads across the state.
Find out more here https://childrensrights.org.au/oshc-resources
Emergency Services Cadet Unit Leader Izabella Tyrell is an inspiration, taking her team to the Cadet Games two years in a row despite some challenging personal circumstances.
The 16-year-old from Emerald also took part in the Queensland Family and Child Commission’s Youth Summit in Brisbane on 10 April.
Izabella gave a speech at the Youth Summit about her family’s experience of the rural health care system.
Izabella’s mother Kristy is very unwell and being treated as an outpatient of Hervey Bay Hospital, separated from her four children and husband by a seven-hour drive.
Izabella is trying to improve rural healthcare, so that it can better serve families like hers.
“I want to see greater investment in rural healthcare, improved access to specialists, and greater recognition of the impact that health inequity has on young people,” Izabella said.
As well as advocating for better healthcare, Izabella has been active in PCYC’s Emergency Services Cadets since 2022, mentored by Sgt Julia Palmer.
She was one of the first cadets in Emerald and has worked her way up to Unit Leader.
Activities Izabella has participated in at Emergency Services Cadets include first aid, casualty management, search and rescue, swift water theory, road safety, forensics, highway patrol, K9 units, navigation, radio communications, team building and problem solving, as well as attending the Cadet Games for the past two years.
“I have taken my team to the Cadet Games in Townsville twice, placing second both times,” Izabella said.
“I love leading others and all the experiences I have had at Cadets.”
Izabella would like to take what she has learned at Emergency Services Cadets to become a police officer in the future.
Izabella currently goes above and beyond the call of duty to attend school, Emergency Services Cadets, her part time job, and to help her Dad look after the family, all whilst missing her much loved Mum!
Izabella’s father Ben is so proud of his daughter.
“Kristy and I are super proud of Izabella and everything she has achieved and we can’t wait to see what she achieves in the future,” Ben said.
In the early hours of Thursday 19 March, PCYC Toowoomba was destroyed by fire. The club team quickly moved from crisis mode into action mode and have shown resilience and commitment in working together to create connection and opportunity.
Within a few short weeks the Toowoomba team focused on getting back into the community. They worked quickly to get programs and activities back up and running:
Our building burned down, but PCYC is not a building, we are a community and we will rebuild.
The support from our community since the fire at PCYC Toowoomba has been overwhelming, and we are incredibly grateful for all of the messages, offers of help and donations, and shared memories. PCYC Toowoomba has always been at the heart of the community, and never has that been more evident than the past few days.
We also understand that many of you have questions about what’s next, how rebuilding works, what’s required and what happens in the meantime.
We’ve pulled together the information we have at the moment and have answered some of the most common questions below. We’ll keep this updated as things change and add questions as we come across them so keep an eye on our Facebook page and website for updates.
Markets update
We’ve been working hard behind the scenes to bring our markets back as soon as possible. Our first markets back were held on Sunday, 12 April.
Will PCYC Toowoomba be rebuilt?
We are committed to rebuilding a PCYC Toowoomba club. PCYC Toowoomba was used by approximately 1000 people each week, without accounting for outreach work. We understand that the Toowoomba community is a growing one and demand for services will increase. We would like the new club to be purpose-built to serve the current and future needs of the Toowoomba community. For this reason we are working towards gaining support to build a fit-for-purpose facility the Toowoomba community really deserves.
Insurance received by PCYC for PCYC Toowoomba will contribute to current club demolition, new equipment and towards a new facility.
How long will rebuilding take?
Creating a future-proofed, fit-for-purpose club that meets the community needs is not a quick process.
Gaining funding, building approvals, planning and construction take time.
Where will donated funds go?
Every dollar we raise through the generous support of the community will go towards establishing temporary facilities and replacing equipment so that we can run our programs and activities. These funds will also contribute to the building of a new and improved facility.
Community support will play a key role in helping us bridge the gap between insurance coverage and the true cost of continuing to serve the community and rebuilding.
How can I help?
If you would like to help, there are many ways you can support us:
What is happening with programs and activities?
Gymnastics and Little n Active are back for Term 2! Starting Monday 20 April, we will be balancing, flipping and having fun at our new venue: Clive Berghofer Recreation Centre at the University of Southern Queensland.
BTC is up and running again from the Toowoomba library and celebrated a drivers licence being achieved just days after the fire.
Our Youth Programs team is now based at UniSQ and we are already running programs at local schools and parks. We are continuing our outreach programs working in local schools as a part of our crucial work to support young people in the area.
What is the latest update on the car park?
The PCYC car park will be available for use as usual from Wednesday, 25 March.
This International Women’s Day the theme is Balance the Scales. Balancing the scales means ensuring every woman and girl is safe, heard, and free to shape their own lives.
Across the globe, this means we need to battle discriminatory laws, policies, and practices and structural barriers that stand in the way of justice and the gender-based violence that prevent women and girls from feeling safe in communities.
When women and girls stand equal, families are stronger, workplaces are fairer, communities thrive, and society becomes safer for everyone.
We asked some of our Youth Cub Program Managers what Balancing the Scales means to them:
“Balancing the scales means striving for fairness, dignity and opportunity. As a Police Officer I have the privilege and responsibility to protect, advocate and lead. For me, IWD is about empowering young women to step forward, not questioning if they belong, but knowing they do. It’s about mentorship, representation and courage. Every time we support another woman, challenge outdated expectations or lead with integrity, we help balance the scales for the next generation.”
Sgt Chantal Kelly
Youth Club Program Manager, PCYC Toowoomba
“For me, Balance the Scales is about freedom of choice — recognising that every woman should have the opportunity to define what matters most to her, whether that’s career, family, community, leadership, creativity, or something entirely different.
True balance comes when women feel supported to pursue their own priorities without judgement or limitation. It’s about creating social structures, workplaces, and communities that remove barriers and provide genuine support, so women aren’t forced to choose between roles but are empowered to shape their own path.
Balancing the scales isn’t about everyone being the same — it’s about acceptance, respect, and making sure every woman has the opportunity, support, and voice to live in a way that is meaningful to her.
My advice to choose to look for the good in your life and practise gratitude — not because everything is always perfect, but because choosing to focus on what you do have can help shape your mindset and create happiness from within.
Say yes to positive and productive opportunities, even when they feel uncomfortable or outside your comfort zone, because that’s where growth and confidence are built.
Let your morals guide you and stay true to your values, especially when faced with difficult choices. And remember the importance of healthy boundaries — respecting yourself, your time, and your wellbeing is a strength, not a weakness.
Be kind to yourself, stay curious, and don’t be afraid to grow into who you are meant to become.”
Sgt Storm Kolera
Youth Club Program Manager, PCYC South Burnett
