Celebrating our student volunteers!
This week is National Student Volunteer Week!
Volunteers power so much of what happens at PCYC Queensland – and student volunteers are no exception.
Our amazing young people are making a big difference in their communities across the state.
Our Youth Leadership Teams (YLTs) are shining examples. At PCYC Crestmead, this diverse group rolls up their sleeves to help wherever it’s needed, from packing emergency hampers for people experiencing homelessness in Logan, to washing PCYC vehicles, to supporting the annual CAOS community event.
PCYC Crestmead’s Community Development Officer Tarinabo Dambo answered a few questions about the group:
How long have this group of volunteers been involved?
At least four members of the YLT have been involved for several years, with most participants joining for the first time this year. Nevertheless, all YLT members work effectively as a team regardless of when they joined. Existing members always go out of their way to ensure that new additions feel welcome and included.
What have been some standout achievements from this group while volunteering?
The YLT recently raised around $500 while volunteering to sell raffle tickets at CAOS and recently did a fantastic job of washing the Braking the Cycle cars. PCYC Crestmead YLT also represented the club at the Traditional Indigenous Games (TIGS) tournament at the People First stadium on the Gold Coast where their team the ‘Blue Steelers’ placed first.
How have the group members benefitted from volunteering with PCYC?
All our YLT members reported feeling a sense of purpose and achievement after volunteering with the PCYC. In recent weeks, two of our YLT members, who are aspiring basketball players, had the opportunity to meet and speak to current professional basketball player Tyrell Harrison, who plays in both the NBA in the United States and the NBL here in Australia. The two girls represented YLT well in asking sensible questions to Tyrell alongside the Youth Club Manager Sergent Chris Davey. In late June, Tyrell was a special guest at Crestmead PCYC’s Basketball Afterdark program.
What’s next for members of the volunteer group? (what are their future plans)
The plan for PCYC Crestmead YLT is planning to safely distribute the emergency hampers they packed to people experiencing homelessness in Logan.
Here’s what some of PCYC Crestmead’s YLT said about their time volunteering with PCYC:
Nala: “Volunteering through YLT allows me to help people and the community.”
Raela: “Volunteering with PCYC Crestmead helps me to improve my people skills.”
Ryan: “I enjoy being a part of YLT and volunteering at PCYC Crestmead because I get to do fun activities and make friends.”
Braking The Cycle graduates are safer drivers!
During Road Safety Month in Queensland, we are celebrating the graduates of PCYC Queensland’s Braking The Cycle (BTC) program.
Recent research from Queensland University of Technology (QUT) and major BTC funder, Motor Accident Insurance Commission (MAIC) has shown that drivers taught through Braking the Cycle are safer than your average driver.
Key findings from the report were:
Read the report from QUT and MAIC here.
Braking The Cycle supports young people in Queensland who don’t have access to a registered vehicle to complete their required supervised driving hours.
Road Safety Cadet Club
Braking the Cycle and Wheely Wise are partnering with Fun Squad to deliver newly created Road Safety Cadet Club sessions during Road Safety Month.
The Road Safety Cadet Club sessions cover topics such as the meaning of red, orange and green traffic lights; safely crossing roads; and recognising common road safety signs and what they mean.
These sessions will help our teams spread the message of road safety in all its forms with our very youngest program participants.
Road Safety Cadet Club is aiming to visit all 92 Fun Squads this August.
It’s great to see steady progress at our new PCYC Caboolture site, with construction now more than 60% complete. We’re on track for an opening by the end of the year.
PCYC Caboolture will move to the facility on King Street after 30 years in its current location.
The new club will feature a dedicated youth space, multipurpose sport, recreation and community areas, an upgraded gymnastics facility, a state-of-the-art 24/7 Gym+Fitness centre, and an outdoor basketball court.
The new building will be fully insulated, and have solar panels and batteries installed for more sustainable operations.
It will also feature a sealed car park including at least two all-access designated spaces and overflow parking, external building security and carpark lighting, as well as landscaping and irrigation for all developed areas.
PCYC Queensland CEO Phil Schultz said the new building will be a real heart of the community – accessible to all, welcoming to everyone and addressing a range of community needs.
“This new club will allow PCYC Queensland to continue delivering important youth development programs to the Caboolture community,” he said.
“These programs, After Dark, Drop In, our Youth Leadership Team, and our driver mentoring program Braking the Cycle, are at the heart of what PCYC Queensland is all about.
“The new club will also have brand-new high-quality facilities for Gym+Fitness, sports, gymnastics, martial arts – everything you would expect from a PCYC.”
The new, $17.5 million PCYC Caboolture is being delivered in partnership with the Australian Government ($10 million funding), the Queensland Government ($5 million funding) and Moreton Bay Regional Council ($2.5 million funding).
Minister for Sport and Racing and Minister for the Olympic and Paralympic Games Tim Mander said the new PCYC will help more people get active across Caboolture and the Moreton Bay area.
“We know how important sport is in the lives of our young people and this new PCYC will create more opportunities for them engage in sporting programs and after school activities,” he said.
“Our PCYCs offer quality facilities and programs which provide transformative opportunities for people of all ages.”
State Member for Morayfield, Hon Mark Ryan MP, is also a supporter of the project and said it was great for the local community.
“I have been a strong advocate for this project,” he said.
“It’s so exciting for our local community to now see the walls of their new PCYC now standing tall.”
City of Moreton Bay Mayor Peter Flannery said PCYC Queensland played a key role in the local community.
“We’re proud to have advocated strongly for this new facility. Council has contributed $2.5 million through our Regional Community Grant to help bring the new PCYC Caboolture to life so it is exciting to see the build in full swing,” Mayor Flannery said.
Cr Adam Hain (Division 3) said the new PCYC will give locals a safe and welcoming space they can call their own.
“The new PCYC Caboolture will support generations of young people, helping them grow into confident, connected members of our community.”
PCYC Queensland celebrated 16 inspiring young people from Bundaberg, Cairns, and the Gold Coast on 18 July, as they received the prestigious The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Gold Award, the highest honour in the globally recognised youth program.
The recipients were honoured at a ceremony held at Brisbane City Hall, where the PCYC Queensland cohort represented the largest group of Gold Award achievers at this year’s event.
It was a proud moment for both the young achievers and the organisation that helped them reach their goals.
PCYC Queensland CEO and Chair of The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Queensland State Award Committee Phil Schultz said the milestone speaks volumes about the character of the young people involved.
“The Duke of Ed program is a life-changing journey. We are incredibly proud of these 16 young people, who have shown perseverance, determination and spirit,” Phil said.
“To have the largest number of Gold Award recipients in the state this year is also a testament to the support and encouragement provided by our team on the ground.”
PCYC’s State Operations Manager Youth and Community Programs Alex Weber added that the Gold Award represents more than just personal achievement — it reflects growth, contribution, and lasting impact.
“These young people have committed their own time to completing challenges of physical activity, volunteering, skill development, and adventurous journeys,” said Alex.
“Their achievements inspire others and raise awareness of just how valuable The Duke of Ed program is in helping build confidence, independence and community connection.”
The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award is a non-competitive program that empowers young people to explore their full potential, regardless of their background, location or circumstance.
The Gold Award is the highest level, requiring a significant commitment to service, skill development, physical recreation, and personal growth.
PCYC Queensland hosted the flagship event for cadets in Queensland, the 2025 Cadet Games in June.
The Games, in their 11th year, saw 180 cadets from PCYC Queensland Emergency Services Cadets, Surf Life Saving Queensland, Australian Army Cadets, Royal Australian Air Force Cadets and Australian Navy Cadets compete in games of skill, problem solving and teamwork.
They vied for the title of Ultimate Cadet Crew and were judged by emergency services and defence personnel who volunteered their time on the day. Judging was based on communication, ability and teamwork and events are chosen based on skills and drills taught to the cadets throughout the year.
PCYC Queensland Emergency Services Cadets Program Manager Sue Bernard said the day was action-packed, busy and fun – and is made possible thanks to the support of many.
“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.
“It is a real celebration of our remarkable young people, giving them the chance to use skills they have learned and be seen by some leading figures in the emergency service and defence community. We have many cadets who return year after year to reconnect with cadets from other areas and seeing them enjoy the events and keep coming back, making these lasting connections and feeling such pride, is so rewarding for us to see.”
PCYC Queensland CEO Phil Schulz said the games were a highlight of the PCYC calendar each year.
“Seeing these young people excel in what they are doing, work together, make new friendships and, importantly, have fun while doing so is terrific to watch,” he said.
“It really shows what we are all about here at PCYC Queensland. It’s also great to get such firm support for the event from the emergency services, our volunteers and PCYC team members.”
PCYC’s Emergency Services Cadets provides young people with practical life skills and leadership opportunities.
The Cadet Games are supported by Queensland Police Service, Queensland Fire Department, Queensland Ambulance Service, Australian Red Cross, Surf Life Saving Queensland, Australian Volunteer Coast Guard Association and Volunteer Marine Rescue Association Queensland.
Powerful New Partnership to Deliver Positive Outcomes for Queensland Pupils
Two stalwart Queensland organisations have come together to deliver positive outcomes for Queensland families and students by building safer, healthier communities for young people to thrive.
P&Cs Qld has been supporting P&Cs to deliver positive outcomes for students in state schools for more than 77 years while PCYC Queensland has been creating safer, more connected environments for Queensland’s young people and families since 1948.
P&Cs Qld CEO Scott Wiseman said the new partnership was an exciting collaboration set to deliver much-needed support for Queensland families.
“Every parent has heard of PCYC and the important work they do to support families across Queensland,” Mr Wiseman said.
“We know many parents will already know about this wonderful organisation, PCYC, with many having some experience with their programs as children. Who hasn’t been to a Blue Light Disco?
However, Mr Wiseman said PCYC now offered many more incredible programs that supported families and helped keep children on the right track and in education.
“We are proud to be working with this trusted organisation,” he said.
Our values are aligned and complement our own mission at P&Cs Qld to give “every child every chance” to succeed in education and in life through fostering parental and community engagement in a thriving and successful education system.
We have the platforms to promote not only their programs targeting students but also to deliver important information to parents that will help them develop knowledge and skills to become positive role models to their children and in the school and wider community.
Mr Wiseman said the partnership had already delivered dividends with PCYC Queensland a major sponsor of the recent P&Cs Qld Stare Conference on the Gold Coast.
“This important conference brought together P&C members and parents from across the state together to connect, learn, network and share their success stories.
“Talking of success stories, PCYC also sponsored several of our prestigious annual P&C Awards, which celebrated the dedicated and hard-working P&Cs and the work they do to support state school to give every child every chance to succeed in education and in life.
“I’m looking forward to seeing where this partnership will take us,” Mr Wiseman said.
PCYC CEO Phil Schultz said PCYC Queensland was delighted to be embarking upon a partnership with P&Cs Qld.
“The two organisations are aligned in purpose and values – and, importantly, our commitment to the young people in our community, Mr Schultz said.
“I know that working together, we can make great strides in creating safer, more connected environments for Queensland’s young people and families.
“This collaboration is about building stronger bridges between school communities and the opportunities available to their members at PCYC clubs across the state.
“We know that when young people are engaged, active, and supported, they thrive.
“We also know that communities are strongest when we work together—when parents, schools, police, youth workers, and volunteers come together with shared intent.
“I look forward to some great collaboration ahead.”
Around 370 young gymnasts flipped, tumbled, and cheered their way through a day of excitement and energy at PCYC Queensland’s annual gymnastics carnival, held on 14 June at PCYC Logan.
The fun, inclusive event for PCYC gymnasts of all ages and levels from 12 clubs across southeast Queensland focused on participation, encouragement, and team spirit, with a sprinkle of competition.
“It was such a fun event that really focused on teamwork, the great Gymnastics community we have here at PCYC, and having fun,” said Maree Calder, PCYC Queensland State Sport and Recreation Manager.
“While our gymnasts are immensely skilled and many are very dedicated to their sport – we also focus on the joy of moving your body and working as a team. Our carnival is a celebration of that.”
Events included routine displays, skill circuits, and fun challenges designed to highlight the gymnasts’ progress and enjoyment of the sport.
PCYC Queensland CEO Phil Schultz said the event was a huge success.
“While there was a competitive element and the skills on display were impressive, the focus on building confidence, having fun and community really made this event a standout,” he said.
“It was terrific to see so many athletes, families and friends supporting our gymnasts.
“We want to really embrace the fact that gymnastics is not just about perfect routines, but about participation, perseverance, and passion – and we saw a lot of that at this event.”
Throughout the day, awards were presented to recognise gymnasts of all levels.
We recently announced the release of our first ever children’s book, designed specifically for use in our Outside School Hours Fun centers across Queensland. This innovative resource aims to challenge harmful gender stereotypes and attitudes associated with domestic and family violence, fostering a safe and supportive environment for all children.
Developed in collaboration with experts in youth services, domestic violence prevention, and education, our book is more than just a story — it’s a powerful tool for change. It encourages children to explore and understand their identities, while promoting self-worth and respect for others.
By integrating this book into our Fun Squad curriculum, PCYC Queensland aims to equip children with the knowledge and confidence they need to foster healthy relationships and reject harmful attitudes.
Together, we can cultivate a generation that values respect, empathy, and understanding.
The storybook and facilitation guide are now available for purchase. The storybook is available in print and digital (Kindle), and the facilitation guide is available in digital. We recommend purchasing both assets for use in an educational environment.
In a time when young people are increasingly glued to screens, outdoor adventures and challenges are vital tools for building resilience, confidence, and connection.
“Many young people struggle to engage with anything that’s not right in front of them,” said Dylan Smith, PCYC Queensland’s Outdoor Recreation Centre Regional Manager who oversees operations at the PCYC Bornhoffen and PCYC Capricorn Coast – both popular sites for school and leadership camps.
“They’re smart, but when you take them out of their normal environment, it’s daunting at first because it’s not something they are used to – but thatt’s where growth happens and when they are guided through it, the benefits are huge.”
Outdoor camps and programs offer children and teens a rare chance to unplug, challenge themselves, and develop critical life skills. From bushwalks to team-building activities, these experiences are carefully designed to stretch comfort zones and build self-awareness.
Dylan draws inspiration from the philosophy of Kurt Hahn, who warned of the “Seven Declines of Modern Youth,” including reduced fitness, initiative, imagination, and self-discipline.
“Those declines still ring true today,” Dylan said.
“We’re trying to counter that by creating spaces where young people can move, think, collaborate, and grow. I would say that at least 90% of our young people – likely more – walk away from our camps knowing more about themselves, and, importantly, each other, able to work together through their school lives.”
The benefits go far beyond the physical.
Camps foster social connection and emotional development. Group dynamics are an important part of the process, with students who arrive shy or uncertain forming bonds, facing challenges, and learning from both success and failure.
“We take them through a natural evolution: forming, storming, and eventually performing,” said Dylan.
“It’s about learning to work together, solve problems, and realising that it’s okay to make mistakes.”
Importantly, these programs are inclusive.
“Out here, it’s a level playing field. We’ve seen students who struggle in the classroom become leaders on camp,” said Dylan.
“This is where kids find out what they’re made of. They discover that there’s more in them than they know—and once they realise that, they won’t settle for less.”
For schools seeking camp experiences that provide adventure, personal growth and lasting memories, PCYC Queensland’s outdoor recreation centres Bornhoffen, in the Gold Coast hinterland, and Capricorn Coast in Yeppoon offer tailored programs for all school aged young people.
There’s just something about pickleball.
The fast-paced, easy-to-learn game has swept the world in recent years, attracting players who might find traditional court sports less accessible or challenging to get into.
That’s probably why it’s the perfect sport for Fun Squad, PCYC’s outside school hours programs with services right across Queensland, all of whom are – or soon will be – embracing pickleball.
“Over the past year, pickleball has spread across all our services and it’s easy to see why. Seriously Fun is our motto – and pickleball certainly ticks that box,” said Fun Squad General Manager, Bev Book.
“We find that children of all ages just love it, it appeals to all of them and it’s a great way for them to keep active.
“Our teams love it too – and play it frequently which is resulting in stronger teams working together to achieve our mission of safe and healthy communities.”
Kylie Morris, Fun Squad Gilston Service Manager, says the sport combines fun, fitness and lots of interpersonal skills, too.
“It’s a game that children of all ages have been able to play and understand, and it supports their development, leadership skills, cooperation and encourages positive sportsmanship,” she said.
“We have a strong focus on happy and healthy children that come to us to have fun, and this is all evident when they play pickleball.”
At Mother Teresa Fun Squad, pickleball is a relatively new addition, being introduced in December. It’s clear it is there to stay!
“Our children are really enjoying pickleball and all the fun that it brings,” said Service Manager Kayla McGee.
“We have seen a boost in morale amongst our children and team members, and things like sportsmanship, social skills and confidence are increasing.”
So successful has the rollout of pickleball at Fun Squad services been that more and more PCYC Queensland clubs are also offering pickleball to their members.
Pickleball has found a home at PCYC Queensland – and it’s only set to get bigger from here!
