The young people in PCYC Queensland’s Emergency Services Cadets (ESC) program are nothing short of inspiring.
They’re stepping up in big ways, and proof that the future is in good hands: in the past year, they’ve rolled up their sleeves and lent a hand during natural disasters, learned life-saving skills, and taken on leadership roles within their communities.
When ex Cyclone Alfred swept across Southeast Queensland in March, communities prepared for flooding and long nights of hard work.
Among those stepping forward to help were three ESC units, activated to support their local SES teams by filling sandbags and helping prepare their towns for severe weather. The cadets took on tasks usually handled by trained volunteers, freeing SES crews to deal with urgent jobs such as tarping roofs and responding to emergency calls.
The spirit that drove those cadets into action is the same spirit shown by Jack Daw, ESC participant who, with his father, rescued a man from a burning vehicle near Gin Gin, pulling him to safety moments before the car was fully engulfed.
His courage, leadership and calm response reflect the values that sit at the heart of the ESC philosophy.
The ESC program provides young people with a safe, fun and inclusive environment that offers them practical life skills and leadership opportunities. It is delivered in partnership with QPS and QFES and is usually based out of local emergency service facilities. Cadets try everything from first aid and search and rescue to radio comms, K9 demos and team challenges. Led by volunteer Adult Leaders and supported by real emergency services crews, the program helps young people build confidence, make friends and discover what it’s like to be part of the emergency services community, whether as a volunteer or in a future career.
One of the highlights each year is ESCape Week, a hands-on adventure where cadets try marine rescue, water safety challenges, search scenarios, fire equipment training and even sessions with Polair and the bomb squad.
Program Coordinator Kerrieann Ruatoka said her favourite part was watching the students stretch themselves.
“There is such a great sense of connection, energy and growth. It is really rewarding to hear the positive feedback from both students and staff about the impact the program is having,” she said.
That same sense of teamwork is carried into the annual Cadet Games, held in Brisbane and Townsville. Cadets from PCYC Queensland, Surf Life Saving Queensland, Australian Army Cadets, Royal Australian Air Force Cadets and Australian Navy Cadets participate in activities that tested communication, skill and problem solving.
ESC Program Manager Sue Bernard described the event as busy, exciting and full of connection.
“The day is all about the young people getting together with cadets from other organisations and making connections in a fun way, and of course plenty of competitive spirit,” she said.
Across the state, many young people attending PCYC Queensland’s youth development programs say we’re their only safe space. At PCYC Ashmore, Acting Sergeant Baxter is delivering programs like Drop In, CHAMP, and After Dark, where he met Bailey. When there’s support, young people like Bailey realise their wellbeing comes first and can reclaim their future, not limited by challenges faced beyond the club’s walls.
It can be through the discipline of After Dark boxing that we can redirect those young Queenslanders who need it most. But as Acting Sergeant Baxter, Youth Club Manager at PCYC Ashmore, says, “the actual diversion happens through the conversations that we have afterwards.”
This is why our people design and deliver programs that divert, prevent, and intervene when it matters most.
This year, program engagements have surged by 34% across our 55 clubs. Meaning there could be a young person somewhere in Queensland tonight stepping into their local club seeking support for the first time.
Through this consistency and these conversations, we connect with young people – like Bailey, a young man regularly attending boxing. Bailey says, “My life has changed drastically coming here. The majority of my mates are in prison or doing drugs and all that.”
Bailey credits Acting Sergeant Baxter and PCYC with helping him stay off that trajectory.
As a PCYC Member, you’re already an important part of a community that helps young Queenslanders make good choices by providing opportunities to be healthier and physically active.
With demand increasing, will you ensure we reach every young person when they need us most? Your choice to give could be why another young Queenslander learns, grows, builds the confidence, mental wellbeing, and social skills to make positive choices themselves.
Please help all young Queenslanders find the safe space they need when it matters most. Make a donation today.
It’s International Volunteer Manager’s Day today and we thought we’d find what makes our volunteer managers do what they do.
What is your favourite thing about working with volunteers? Our volunteers come from all walks of life: retirees, social workers, teachers, health-care professionals or busy parents. It’s always been a pleasure to sit down with them during the induction process or over a coffee and hear about the experiences that led them to volunteer with us. Whether it’s a desire to give back to the community that supported them, or a personal understanding of the barriers young people face, their diverse histories enrich our program immensely. Hearing their personal journeys is a constant inspiration, and I learn something new from them every day.
How have volunteers made a difference to your job? They’ve made it possible! It’s as simple as that. As the Coordinator for Braking the Cycle, my role is to manage the program, but the volunteers are the engine that drives it (BTC pun intended). Their ability to quickly build rapport with participants and make them feel comfortable and safe in the car is invaluable. This trust allows me to focus on the administrative, planning, recruitment, and stakeholder engagement tasks required to run the program successfully. Because I know they will deliver high-quality, supportive mentorship, I can focus on sustaining the program.
Why are volunteers an important part of PCYC? Volunteers are the community. For a program like Braking the Cycle, our mentors bring that vital community connection directly into the car. Volunteers also give us something we can’t buy….their time. Their decision to dedicate their precious time back to the community, using PCYC as a means to offer that support, is an incredible gift. PCYC’s commitment to youth development and crime prevention relies heavily on their hands-on support, and I cannot emphasise enough how thankful I am for their commitment.
How do you keep your volunteers motivated? Motivation for me comes down to communication, recognition, and seeing the long-term impact of their incredible effort. I try my best to keep our mentors in the know. This means consistently communicating the overall success of the program and, most importantly, sharing every licence they’ve helped achieved. I work hard to show the volunteers that their time has made a lasting difference. Hearing where the participants are a year later (in a job, pursuing further education, or just driving independently) is the ultimate reward that shows the true value of their commitment.
Drew Wicks
Program Coordinator ‑ Braking the Cycle, PCYC Cairns
What is your favourite thing about working with volunteers? The volunteers’ passion and commitment to help others, selflessly and without payment. Our volunteers love giving their time and energy to help our community. They also offer our young people insight to different opportunities, life experiences, and support. I love it when volunteers offer fresh ideas and their perspective on things as everyone sees things differently.
How have volunteers made a difference to your job? The Braking the Cycle program would never have got off the ground back in 2018 if it wasn’t for volunteers. We had no funding for BTC initially, two Rotary clubs funded and donated a brand-new vehicle and volunteers jumped on board to get the program going. Volunteers lighten the load, not just physically but mentally, with their ideas, words and in most cases wisdom.
Why are volunteers an important part of PCYC? Volunteers help clubs, especially smaller clubs like Mareeba, that lack funding by being the ‘people’ helping to deliver programs. They are rich with knowledge and skills that we might be lacking, for example a volunteer that loves to cook is able to cook meals for the numerous young people that drop into our programs. Our volunteers also help at programs after hours with young people, at events, community days and whenever we need them.
How do you keep your volunteers motivated? By genuinely talking to them. Say g’day, ask what they’ve been up to, ask about family, ask if they’re enjoying what they’re doing, ask for better ideas and ways to do things. We arrange morning teas for catch ups, training, and recognising milestones in their years of service. And also, by thanking them every time I see them when they volunteer. Actually saying and meaning the words “thank you” means something to volunteers.
Sgt Mary-Anne West
Youth Club Program Manger
PCYC Mareeba
What is your favourite thing about working with volunteers? Most of all, I like to see the joyous reactions of our volunteers when one of our learner drivers achieves their P plates. It is a privilege to work with folk who believe in, and truly value the positive potential of our young drivers.
How have volunteers made a difference to your job? Every volunteer brings something unique to our program. Getting to know them and share their experiences is always interesting.
Why are volunteers an important part of PCYC? Volunteers are the lifeblood of BTC, without them we do not have a program. Apart from that important fact, our volunteers embody the aspirations of PCYC to build safer, healthier communities through youth development.
How do you keep your volunteers motivated? I always like to take the time to say “thank you” and to find out what they want to achieve in their volunteering, since most volunteers are intrinsically motivated. We always like to share the good news about our collective “wins” and to help them to understand how their efforts make a difference in the lives of our young drivers.
Russell Savage
Program Coordinator ‑ Braking the Cycle, PCYC Townsville
What is your favourite thing about working with volunteers? Their passion and commitment; our volunteers bring such good energy. They’re patient, kind, and always up for a chat. They’ve usually got the best stories.
How have volunteers made a difference to your job? They make all the difference. Without our volunteer mentors, there’s no program. Their commitment means we get to focus on supporting them, celebrating their wins, and making sure everything runs smoothly. Volunteers have made my job feel so rewarding with how they connect with participants, and the impact they make.
Why are volunteers an important part of PCYC? Volunteers are the heart of our program. Without them, our learners wouldn’t have the chance to get the hours they need or the encouragement they deserve. They give their time, their patience, their kindness and their support. Volunteers make things possible that wouldn’t happen otherwise.
How do you keep your volunteers motivated? Sometimes the biggest motivator is just knowing they’re appreciated and by sharing the wins, when a learner passes their test, gets a job, or tells us how much their mentor means to them. Those little stories remind volunteers why they do it. We trust our volunteers and give them room to bring their own style to mentoring.
Tim Darr
Program Coordinator ‑ Braking the Cycle, PCYC Toowoomba
What is your favourite thing about working with volunteers? Their enthusiasm and support to youth.
How have volunteers made a difference to your job? I rely heavily on volunteers for their support to programs and their skills they bring.
Why are volunteers an important part of PCYC? Just another gateway for youth to experience mentors from all background engaging with them.
How do you keep your volunteers motivated? Probably lucky that our volunteers enjoy the Programs (Boxing After Dark / After Dark Sport / Youth Leadership Team).
Sgt Marc Schneider
Youth Club Program Manager
PCYC Upper Ross
What is your favourite thing about working with volunteers? My favourite thing about working with volunteers is the incredible people I get to work alongside every day. They’re generous, dependable, and genuinely care about making the world a better place. I’m so lucky that I get to spend my days with these amazing people.
How have volunteers made a difference to your job? Volunteers make my job so much easier. I’m lucky to have such a supportive and passionate team—each one of them truly cares about the role they play in young people’s lives. Their commitment and energy are a big part of why the program is so successful.
Why are volunteers an important part of PCYC? We are a community, and volunteers are at the heart of it. Having volunteers on board brings a depth of experience, and genuine care that strengthens everything we do. Volunteers bring warmth, energy, and a shared sense of purpose—without them, PCYC simply wouldn’t be the same
How do you keep your volunteers motivated? We keep things fun, and always make sure our volunteers feel appreciated. A big part of motivation comes from feeling valued, so we take every opportunity to acknowledge their efforts—whether that’s a simple thank you, a shout-out during a team meeting, or celebrating milestones together. We also try to create a positive, supportive environment where everyone feels part of the team.
Sarah Pitt
Program Coordinator ‑ Braking the Cycle, PCYC Beenleigh
What is your favourite thing about working with volunteers? Working together with volunteers from external agencies allows ideas and strategies to be shared and I love brainstorming and getting them thinking about the potentials. It’s a great way to network as well especially in small communities.
How have volunteers made a difference to your job? Having volunteers turn up to the club assisting with different jobs and activities allows me to concentrate on club operations. They really do take pressure off my shoulders of a night time when they offer to prepare the food or run activities. I would honestly be lost without them on Mornington Island.
Why are volunteers an important part of PCYC? I feel volunteers are an essential role in PCYC as they often engage with the community day to day and it allows them to go hands on with the community and engage with the kids. Often in smaller centres, the volunteers are FIFO workers who attend meetings daily with councils etc and coming down after work allows them to unwind and have some fun with the kids and the kids see them as a friendly face rather than just another FIFO worker.
How do you keep your volunteers motivated? I always ask what they would prefer to assist in. Many types of activities occur at the club and rather than allocate them tasks I ask them to choose what they are comfortable in doing. No matter what they choose, it alleviates the pressure. I also reward them with cold drinks especially during the afternoons as the heat can become overbearing.
Sgt Mick King
Youth Club Program Manager
PCYC Mornington Island
PCYC had the pleasure of hosting our annual Charity Golf Day, and what a success it was!
We were sold out with 32 teams hitting the green this year. We had fantastic engagement from golfers of all abilities and the competition was fierce!
Thanks to the support from sponsors, teams and challenge participants, we’re thrilled to share that the event raised over $51k to support PCYC Queensland and our youth programs that build safer, stronger communities.
PCYC’s first pool is officially open and we couldn’t be more excited!
We recently celebrated our grand opening event with a fantastic turnout from the Allora community. We couldn’t have asked for a better turnout – the sun was shining, the water was sparkling, and the community spirit was in full swing.
It was fantastic to see so many locals cooling off with a dip, trying out our free classes, meeting our friendly pool and PCYC team, and enjoying the free BBQ sizzling away all morning.
This is a grand milestone as we expand into the aquatics space, creating more opportunities for fun, fitness, and community connection.
23 gymnasts representing PCYC Queensland at the National Clubs Gymnastics Carnival soared to new heights and left coaches, and supporters buzzing with pride.
Hosted by Gymnastics Australia last week, National Clubs was the first qualifying event for the Australian National Championships 2026.
Gymnasts from PCYCs Redcliffe and Caboolture represented PCYC Queensland in trampolining.
PCYC Redcliffe Gymnastics Program Leader Alex Lucas is thrilled about his student Harry Tedford being selected to represent Australia at the Junior World Age Championships for Tumbling and Double Mini Trampoline.
“We are so proud of Harry, and we can’t wait to cheer him on as he takes the international stage!” Alex said.
Rhythmic gymnasts representing PCYC Logan also competed at the 2025 National Clubs Gymnastics Carnival, impressing coaches and supporters alike with their talent and dedication.
A standout performance came from Aira Kim, who was named Overall National Champion and took top honours in the Ball and Clubs apparatus.
PCYC Logan’s Rhythmic Gymnastics Coaching Team, led by competition coach Kitti Csernyanszky, was thrilled with the team’s results and the athletes’ hard work throughout the event.
“We are so proud of this team for supporting each other and shining on the national stage. Congratulations to our Rhythmic superstars!” Kitti said.
PCYC Queensland’s young cadets took part in ESCape Week last week – an unforgettable series of exciting, hands-on experiences, provided thanks to emergency service professionals giving them a taste of a career in emergency services.
Emergency Services Cadets (ESCs) can only be chosen to participate in ESCape week once, and this year’s group showed their bravery, tenacity and willingness to learn.
This year the cadets experienced marine rescue and water safety challenges, learned skills to help in alcohol related trauma and accidents, searched for missing persons, used fire-fighting equipment, and spent time with the bomb squad and Polair.
PCYC ESC Program Coordinator Kerrieann Ruatoka’s highlight was seeing the students step out of their comfort zones and really engage with the different activities throughout the week.
“There was such a great sense of connection, energy, and growth. It was also really rewarding to hear the positive feedback from both students and staff about the impact the program is having,” Kerrieann said.
PCYC ESC Manager Sue Bernard enjoyed watching the Cadets grow from day one of ESCape Week, when they didn’t even know each other to becoming a great group of friends who take care of each other. It’s something she never tires of.
“The most memorable day was when I took a detour on our drive home from the Gold Coast, so that we got to spend a precious few minutes at the beach – which some of our regional Cadets had never seen before. That is a gift that will stay with me long after everything is done,” Sue said.
Gymnasts from PCYC Toowoomba competed in the Junior Artistic State Gymnastics Championships held last week at the Sleeman Sports Complex at Chandler.
PCYC Toowoomba Gymnastics Program Leader Felicia Platz said they had a large team representing PCYC Toowoomba at this four-day event hosted by Gymnastics Queensland.
“PCYC Toowoomba had a record of 25 gymnasts competing at State Championships this year, and 17 of them made the Darling Downs Team – out of 18 available spots!” Felicia said.
“We had athletes who competed individually and who represented the Darling Downs in the Regional Team Challenge, and we are so proud of them all.”
PCYC Queensland is the largest gymnastics provider in Queensland. Find out more about our inclusive, supportive and fun programs
Last month, PCYC Yarrabah’s Youth Leadership Team (YLT) did a ReefClean with Tangaroa Blue. They removed more than 100kg of marine debris from the reef, sorting, recycling and disposing of it. The YLT worked hard, ensuring the largest marine debris haul of any ReefClean at Green Island over the past 20 years!
Some of the debris found were small bleach bottles all the way from South-East Asia. Bleach bottles are squirted into the ocean to stun exotic fish, by people hoping to capture and sell them. The bottles are discarded and wash up in a range of faraway places – including here in Queensland.
The YLT also found a tuna tracker that had come off a tuna boat and was taken back to the mainland to be reused.
Well done to our Yarrabah Youth Leadership Team!
PCYC Pine Rivers was a hub of tumbling, flipping and fun during their Gymnastics Showcase Carnival on 13 September.
In a high-energy day as much about community as it was about skills, 70 gymnasts and their families cheered each other on at the club’s first gymnastics showcase.
The event was designed to showcase the progress and success of all gymnasts, giving athletes a chance to demonstrate what they’ve learned in a fun and supportive environment in front of their friends and family. It was a celebration of the effort and growth each young person has made in themselves.
Club Manager PCYC Pine Rivers Paula Sargent said the event was a huge success and a credit to the team spirit of the participants.
“Our Gymnastics community at PCYC Pine Rivers is truly something special, and it was wonderful to bring everyone together to showcase the skills and progress they’ve made,” she said.
“The carnival was such a fun and high-energy day – it really showed how incredible gymnastics is as a sport. Watching everyone in action reminded me how much strength, flexibility, and confidence it builds. I’m so proud of our gymnasts; they lit up the space with their passion and skill, and I think we all left feeling totally inspired.”
PCYC Pine Rivers team members were happy to see so many families and friends supporting the gymnasts and cheering them on throughout the day.
The Showcase doubled as a fundraiser, with every dollar raised going back into helping PCYC Pine Rivers deliver great outcomes for young people in the community.
