As Term 1 approaches, 2026 is shaping up to be an exciting year for PCYC Aquatics, with PCYC Queensland set to take over management of the much-loved learn-to-swim school at The Gap in late January.
This marks the organisation’s second PCYC Aquatics service, following the recent opening of its first facility in Allora, and signals PCYC Queensland’s growing presence in the sport and recreation space.
PCYC Queensland CEO Phil Schultz said the move into aquatics was a natural next step for the organisation and welcomed the opportunity to establish a presence in The Gap just months after the Allora opening.
“All Queensland children need to learn to swim, and as an organisation with such a long history of providing high quality sport and recreation activities, we are well placed for this,” he said.
“We look forward to working with the local community to make it a vibrant hub for health and connection.”
PCYC offers a range of engaging aquatic programs, including learn-to-swim classes. The pool will also open up employment opportunities for locals interested in aquatics and youth development.
Sport and Recreation Manager – Aquatics Ilka Lebbink said the response from The Gap community had already been enthusiastic.
“We have had so much interest in our learn-to-swim programs already, and we just can’t wait to welcome the community to the pool to enjoy all PCYC Aquatics has to offer,” she said.
“We are pleased to become a part of this great community.”
Shaun is known for being one of the most friendly and approachable people in the gym at PCYC Deception Bay. He is also a Member Services Officer at three PCYC Clubs: PCYC Deception Bay, PCYC Redcliffe and PCYC Sandgate!
I have been a member for a very long time! But I have really committed to the amazing 8-week challenge with my best friend!
I love the PCYC Deception Bay gym equipment. It has everything I need and enough variety for my training.
My fitness goals at the moment are to look good, get fit, keep coming and smash the 8 week challenge!
My favourite workout at the is DAY 6 Upper Body (Push & Pull). I loved learning new movements I haven’t done before.
My favourite workout at the is DAY 6 Upper Body (Push & Pull). I loved learning new movements I haven’t done before.
Discover PCYC Deception Bay or view the gym timetable.
Kae describes herself as a lifelong learner at heart! Whether it’s in her nursing studies or through the amazing people she meets at the gym, her journey as a dog mum or from her interactions with her partner, Kae learns new things every day.
I’ve been with PCYC for just over a year now. My journey begun at PCYC Townsville as a Fundamentals Gymnastics Coach. I moved to PCYC Mackay and have been their Gym and Fitness Officer since March this year.
My fascination in human anatomy combined with the love for fitness and helping others led me to become a trainer at PCYC Mackay. I love having the ability to create a safe, welcoming space for people to connect and stay active.
Not at the moment, but I never say no to a good challenge when it comes along.
My Fit & 50s class is my favourite Activ8 Group Training class to teach.
Staying active has become a part of who I am, and I am most proud of that. It keeps me feeling strong, balanced and motivated throughout all areas of my life.
Be sure to celebrate every win – even the small ones.
Discover PCYC Mackay or view the gym timetable.
Dilo Alazeez, 17, has passed his driving test, and that’s not the only milestone he’s marked – he is the 550th graduate of Braking The Cycle at PCYC Toowoomba.
Braking The Cycle supports learner drivers without access to a supervisor or registered vehicle to complete their 100 logbook hours. Volunteer mentor drivers guide learners on their way to passing their driving test.
Braking The Cycle Program Coordinator Tim Darr is proud of Dilo’s hard work and determination, noting that Dilo is not the first in his family to come through the program.
“Dilo is keeping it in the family, after his older brother Sameer gained his license via Braking The Cycle in 2022,” Tim said.
PCYC Queensland CEO Phil Schultz said Braking The Cycle provides young people with the freedom and independence to help them connect with their community.
“Having a licence doesn’t just give these young people the key to drive, it gives them the key to finding and maintaining employment, pursuing study opportunities or the ability to support their families and the wider community,” Phil said.
PCYC is looking for more volunteer mentor drivers. PCYC provides full training and support to help mentors guide participants in becoming safe and confident drivers.
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.
Discover PCYC Emerald or view the gym timetable.
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.
