National Road Safety Week is here!
PCYC Queensland is on ‘The Road to Zero’ for National Road Safety Week, this week. Thanks to Braking the Cycle – our volunteer-led program helping young people become safe drivers.
DId you know? Since its inception in 2012, Braking the Cycle has delivered 317,730 hours of supervised driving and has assisted almost 6,000 participants to achieve their licence.
Paul, Braking the Cycle Mentor-Driver has been volunteering with PCYC Queensland for more than four years.
“My main motivation for becoming a Braking the Cycle mentor volunteer was two-fold: number one – road safety, and helping young people to learn how to drive, and learn how to drive safe,” he said.
“Unfortunately, as everybody knows, if you get it wrong as a young driver, you don’t necessarily get a second chance and that’s what inspires me.
“I wanted to do my little bit in educating, coaching and helping young people to develop good driving habits, so that not only do they obtain their licence, but when they graduate from the program, they are going to be safe drivers and have a long, happy driver career.”
Shout out this week to Paul and all of our amazing Braking the Cycle Driver Mentor volunteers and program coordinators – We APPRECIATE YOU!
By age 12, Leah was facing over 100 criminal charges and trapped in a cycle of battling addiction and destructive choices. For her, boxing has been more than a sport – it’s been a much-needed lifeline.
The physicality of boxing —a PCYC foundation sport since 1948—has instilled discipline and resilience in people for decades, transforming lives like Leah’s. Nowadays, many young Queenslanders first experience boxing by attending our free After Dark youth development program for 12-18s experiencing disengagement.
Last year, we ran 1,217 After Dark sessions across the State, with 20,559 engagements.
Unfortunately, the need is still great, and many other young Queenslanders are on a similar path right now. Leah believes having access to these free programs is crucial for at-risk young people to change their course.
Leah says, “It’s good to do this sort of exercise then, you get a better sleep, it takes you away from other things – you get a feed and are in a place you know you are wanted.”
As a PCYC Gym+Fitness 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.
Will you please consider increasing your impact by making a small tax-deductible donation? You’ll help change the stories of more young Queenslanders like Leah.
This year’s International Volunteer Day theme is Solidarity through Volunteering. Our volunteers come from a wide variety of backgrounds, are from the age of 10 to 87 and represent over 84 different nationalities.
Amalie’s Story
12-year-old Amalie is one of a growing number of young volunteers putting their hand up to help at their local PCYC club. Amalie is heavily into gymnastics at PCYC Caboolture and is now a volunteer for the program.
Her mum, Marie, says Amalie’s confidence and self-esteem has blossomed since she began volunteering and can’t speak highly enough of her coaches Collette Watmough and Ryan McCarthy who have encouraged and mentored her on her journey.
Amalie is now working towards her coaching qualification when she is eligible next year.
Thank you, Amalie!
Paul’s Story
Paul Wright started his PCYC Queensland volunteering story in 2017 through PCYC Toowoomba. He has 9300 volunteer hours and has helped 150 participants graduate the program. Paul is passionate about volunteering to make a positive difference to the lives of young people.
Knowing that by volunteering my time, I have helped young Queenslanders gain a licence is very powerful to me, and I enjoy seeing our program participants develop both as drivers and people.
“Often, the young people I am helping are quite shy when they begin driving, but as time goes on, they become more confident both in their driving skills and themselves and start to come out of their shell. It’s amazing to watch this happen, and know you played a small part in helping build their confidence.”
The influence volunteers like Paul have on the young drivers they help has a long-lasting impact, with Paul sharing his most memorable moment from his time as a Braking the Cycle volunteer.
“I was walking through the local shopping centre when I saw a participant I had taken to get her licence. She was with her young daughter and told me that having her licence had changed her life. She looked at her daughter and said, “This is the man who helped Mummy get her driver’s licence”. Her daughter then gave me a big smile and hug, and hearing about the positive impact I had made through volunteering was one of the best feelings I have ever experienced.
“Additionally, volunteering keeps me both physically and mentally active, which is an added bonus!”
Thank you, Paul!
Julian’s Story
Julian was coming up to the end of his tertiary studies when he decided to gain industry experience through working in our Marketing & Fundraising team. He had some wonderful things to say about his experience and the PCYC Queensland team.
“Thank you to the Marketing & Fundraising team for welcoming me and giving me real world experience in our industry. Being part of one of Australia’s most reputable charities not only allowed me to learn, but contribute, develop and engage with the Queensland community through youth and community programs as well as supporting first nation peoples.”
Truly a courageous and giving organisation and would highly recommend interning or volunteering and help build a safer, healthier community!
We’re proud to say that Julian applied for a recently opened paid position within the team and was successful in his application. It’s fitting that his first day be today, on International Volunteers Day!
Thank you, Julian and welcome aboard!
