International Women’s Day 2023 – Courtney Muldoon

Paying it forward

“I have been at PCYC Queensland longer than I can remember. I was running around in diapers when welcomed into the world of PCYC by my police officer dad who was the PCYC Nerang manager before I was born. I am 26 years old now so that means I am 26 years at PCYC!

I work for PCYC Queensland because I truly believe that we offer young people opportunities and support that no one else offers. There is something for everyone out there in the wider community, no matter their walk of life.

I consider myself very lucky to have been exposed to everything that PCYC has to offer. As a younger person I got to do all the usual activities—dance, after school care, basketball, youth groups and more. I have made lifelong friends and developed skills that have influenced many areas in my life inside and outside of PCYC, including travel, study and sport.

Opportunities I am particularly proud of include walking the Kokoda Track in Papua New Guinea, building houses in a Cambodian village, and completing my Silver Duke of Edinburgh Award.

It was pretty amazing to be selected for the PCYC’s emerging leaders’ program with 10 other young people from around the state. The Kokoda Track experience would definitely have to be one of the hardest most rewarding challenges of my life. Another experience was traveling to Cambodia where we built four houses in a village alongside the soon to be homeowners. It was great to learn new skills and get to know the children who were living in a very different environment than what I was used to in Australia. Most recently I completed my Silver Duke of Edinburgh award observing coastal environmental changes throughout the year.

I have been super fortunate to be a part of many different areas of PCYC Queensland, starting at my local club PCYC Nerang as a 16-year-old casual educator during vacation care while I was on my school holidays, eventually moving to a full-time Educational Leader. While working with Outside of School Hours Care (OSHC) I was worked at the club’s front counter on the weekends. I then moved into the Youth Development Officer role working with local schools and young people to run a variety of youth development and support programs, eventually moving into the Braking the Cycle program for the next 4 years.

Today, I am part of the PCYC Queensland’s Core Program team supporting the Duke of Edinburgh Award, Youth Leadership Teams, and the State Youth Leadership Program. I work with young people who walk through our doors to experience guidance and support like I have.”

Courtney Muldoon
Core Program Manager