As Queenslanders ready themselves for summer and the festive season, road safety returns to the spotlight – and a PCYC Queensland driver mentor program proven to produce safe drivers is calling out for volunteers to keep building safe driving habits.
Braking The Cycle (BTC) connects learner drivers who lack access to a car or supervising driver with trained volunteers who guide them through the 100 hours of practical experience needed to become safe, capable motorists.
This year, a study by BTC funder Motor Accident Insurance Commission and Queensland University of Technology found that drivers who learned to drive via BTC were safer drivers who were involved in fewer traffic accidents and offences than others of the same age.
That’s thanks in no small part to the mighty team of volunteer driver mentors – and as demand for the program grows, PCYC Queensland is calling out for more mentors.
PCYC Queensland CEO Phil Schultz said the study findings confirmed the value of the program, and of the mentors who guide young people towards achieving their licence.
“Our mentors give young people the confidence and the right advice to make good decisions behind the wheel,” he said.
“Every hour a volunteer spends with a learner helps make our roads safer for everyone.”
PCYC Queensland is currently seeking more volunteer mentors right across Queensland. Volunteer Services manager Andrew Parkinson said the role offers a meaningful way to give back.
“Mentoring is a practical way to make a real difference, and all our mentors say it’s deeply rewarding,” he said.
“You don’t need special qualifications and you’ll receive full training and ongoing support. You just need patience, empathy and a driver’s licence.
“We hear all the time that our mentors get as much out of BTC as the learners do.”
Gauta Brown is a driver mentor who works from PCYCs Logan and Inala, and has done for six years. He said being a mentor gives him purpose, and he values the rapport he has with young people.
“When they get their licence, it is a really great feeling; knowing I have played a part in helping them get to that next part of their life, because everything opens up when you have your licence,” he said.
“They are all so different, but they all really need someone who is calm and confident, who won’t judge them or be too hard on them, and who is patient. That’s the approach that I use.
“Sometimes it feels like we are doing more than simply teaching these young men and women to drive and we are building their confidence, too.”
A love of teenagers and a belief that everyone deserves a chance at independence is what drives Braking The Cycle mentor Miriam Houweling in her volunteer role.
For 18 months, she has volunteered as a driver mentor with PCYC’s Braking The Cycle, one of a statewide team of volunteers helping young learner drivers build up their 100 driving hours.
Braking The Cycle allows young learner drivers to build up their 100 driving hours with volunteer mentors like Miriam. The program is designed to assist young people who don’t have access to a car or an adult at home who can supervise their driving.
Miriam said she has always enjoyed volunteering, and was seeking new opportunities when she moved from Ipswich to Mackay. She joined the Older Women’s Network , and learned about Braking The Cycle at PCYC Mackay.
She knew this was a role where she could make a difference and feel connected to the young people she was helping.
“I love spending time with teenagers, they all have their funny quirks. If I show them respect, then they show me respect,” Miriam said.
“They all deserve a chance in life,” she said.
Miriam recommends volunteering to anyone who has time to give, and she encourages Mackay locals to come in to PCYC and find out more. PCYC provides full training and support to help mentors guide participants in becoming safe and confident drivers.
PCYC Queensland CEO Phil Schultz said Braking the Cycle provides young people with the freedom and independence to help them connect with their community.
“We have more than 700 BTC volunteers across the state who provide their time, skills and experience to help young people who may not be able to access or afford driving lessons the chance to gain their driving skills – and become safe drivers for the future,” Phil said.
“Having a licence doesn’t just give them the key to drive, it gives them the key to finding and maintaining employment, pursue study opportunities or the ability to support their families and the wider community.”
Kerry has been awarded the member of the month for coming to every group training class possible with a beautiful smile and always putting in 200%.
This time around, I have only been a member for 2 months. I was a long-time member 10+ years ago when classes were abundant.
PCYC Emerald is so good for our whole community, the young (but also the not so young). It provides a safe, non-intimidating place with a friendly atmosphere to come and workout (or not), feel included and supported, make new friends, have a chat and go home feeling better. With numerous programs for all ages, the price is affordable, gym is 24 hours, very, very clean with fantastic new equipment. I am so happy they run classes again! Bonus! Love them! I feel grateful to be part of a like-minded community. Thank you to all the amazing staff and volunteers for all that you do.
I have always played sport and tried to stay active, but it’s even more important as we age for bone density, mental and physical stability, weight management, immunity and general well-being (and keeping up with the grandkids). I have never been much of a gym person, but I absolutely love classes, so thank you for bringing them back!
Michelle is such a kind person and an amazing trainer with a wealth of knowledge. Thank you, Michelle, you have been a life saver.
My aim is to lose the flab and be more toned to feel comfortable within myself. Keep my body and mind fit.
Classes, classes, classes!! Especially strength and boxing.
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Charlie loves both bodybuilding training and watching bodybuilding as a sport! He also enjoys talking with people on how to improve their hypertrophy training.
I started at PCYC Queensland a little over a year ago, in October 2024.
When starting my fitness journey, I was met with a lot of positive influences in my gym that helped me work towards my goals. I wish to be a positive influence on those who are starting out also and wish to help as many people see the benefits of all exercise!
I am currently doing basic high intensity cardio and hypertrophy training to keep the joints and muscles active. Getting bigger and stronger is always a positive also.
Fusion is one of my favourite classes to run. It’s always met with some anguish and complaints by the participants, but they always persevere and come out stronger and grateful after the session (they secretly love it too!)
My favourite moments are doing the fundamental classes at PCYC Gladstone. Seeing beginners come through and get comfortable and confident while training within the gym is always a highlight.
Study anatomy and human biomechanics. These skills are extremely valuable and can help bolster your arsenal when teaching exercises along with progression and regression of movements.
Discover PCYC Gladstone or view the gym timetable.
Having grown up at PCYC doing dancing and swimming as a child, then participating in youth programs as a young person, Krista Flick has come full circle and is now a Practice Leader in the Organisation Development team at PCYC Queensland.
Krista has worked at PCYC for 10 years, and her history with PCYC goes back to childhood with her parents being Life Members of PCYC.
The role of the Practice Leader is to ensure that we are delivering evidence-based quality programs to young people in our communities. In this role, Krista makes sure that PCYC’s programs are informed by listening to the voices of young people in our communities as well as experts in the field.
Krista said she is often out and about, consulting with people, talking with people, and listening to what they’re saying or what they’re not saying.
“I spend a lot of time connecting with young people, communities, and experts across the state, the country and even internationally to make sure our work is informed by a diverse range of voices and that our research is broad, informed and meaningful,” Krista said.
“PCYC Queensland has two Practice Leaders working towards our programs being based on best practice and evidence, so we can deliver programs in a safe and effective way. There is also a focus on delivering programs in the way that is most practical for young people. We are in constant consultation with PCYC volunteers, participants and young people within communities. We centre the voices, thoughts and opinions of young people. Young people are the experts in their own lives and their communities, and they know what they need.”
In her time with PCYC, Krista has seen first-hand what a difference our programs can make in the lives of young people, and remembers fondly the time she spent at PCYC Sunshine Coast as a child.
“PCYC creates a space for all young people. Even those who might have been ‘written off’ or overlooked by the adults around them can find a place to belong here, and we help them rewrite their story. “One of the best things about my job is knowing the impact that our work will have on young people and the lives that it will change.”
Duke of Edinburgh Australia hosted an Ambassador Event in Brisbane to shine light on the important outcomes that the program achieves in front of an audience of generous donors.
PCYC was represented by Chantel Walmbeng (21), Police Liaison Officer and Bronze Awardee from Aurukun; Troy Hudson (15), Bronze Awardee from Napranum; and Lilly Matthews (19) Gold Awardee from Bundaberg.
Our Awardees formed part of a panel and responded to questions relating to their Duke of Edinburgh experience. They represented PCYC with confidence and maturity and collectively offered a public display of the far-reaching impact that PCYC Queensland is having through this incredible program.
PCYC Queensland CEO Phil Schultz said it was an absolute pleasure to attend
“It was great to hear from these young people and see firsthand the impact the program has on PCYC Queensland’s young people,” Phil 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
Staff member Susanna says she’s like Peter Pan – a kid on the inside. And although she’s 100% Italian, she admits she’s not a fan of cheese!
I started at PCYC Logan in November 2022 as Rhythmic Gymnastics Coach. After a couple of months, I also started the role as Senior Leader for the Little n Active program. I worked as much as I could while pregnant, then my baby arrived!
After a year’s break, I started at PCYC Beenleigh in November 2024 as a Fitness Instructor, and later on I had the opportunity to be a Senior Leader again the for Little n Active program here at Beenleigh – so I am currently doing double roles!
I’ve always worked with my body as I was a professional dancer and through movement, I can express my personality better than words.
When I arrived in Australia in 2018, I wanted to study to improve my English, so I decided to go for the Fitness Industry to learn more about the body and the benefits of training.
I am currently doing the Activ8 8 Week Challenge, and I am super happy because I feel much better than I did a few months ago. Also, I am going for at least a 30 minute walk every day. My goal is to strengthen my upper body and see some biceps!
Fit & 50!! So much fun, people are lovely, and we became a family. It feels like I am not working at all! Just love it!
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Trent has a friendly personality and is very motivated at our gyms.
A quick fun fact: he has a friend from reception that trains with him!
I have been a member for 3 months now!
I love training with my buddy Jacob, who’s the Member Services Officer at PCYC Deception Bay! I have started the Activ8 8 Week Challenge, and the team has really motivated me to complete the challenge!
My goals are to stay fit and active, keeping the motivation and want to challenge myself by currently taking part in the Activ8 8 Week Challenge.
As I’m doing the challenge, the exercises in the ‘Day Two (Pull Exercises)’ have been my favourite!
My favourite piece of equipment is the Bicep Curl Machine. I love the way it properly shows the work for it and stability.
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