Meet Michael! He’s one of our bubbly and cheeky Gym+Fitness members at PCYC Ipswich.
I have been a member of the PCYC Ipswich for over 3 years.
I love the gym atmosphere and mate ship that I have found at the PCYC Ipswich. The space is well kept and has great new equipment. The atmosphere is also made by the people who are easy to talk to.
During my fitness journey I never thought that I would get so big and strong. I fell in love with the process of beating my own numbers and seeing the results on my body. With consistency I felt that the journey was fun and easy. I hope with consistency; I will find my way to the body building stage and win.
My favourite movements are anything chest related, however if I have to choose one, I will choose the incline bench press.
Discover PCYC Ipswich or view the club timetable.
My name is Chris Martin & I’ve been a mentor with the PCYC Braking the Cycle driving programme in Toowoomba for more than six years. During that period, I have accumulated around 2,800 hours of student training, and have been involved in many of the 400 plus successful licences achieved, by students here, learning in the programme.
“Why do I do it, I hear you ask?” There are quite a few facets to answer this question. For a start, many of our students come from different cultural backgrounds, such as Sudan, Nepal, Yazidi – from Iraq & Iran (to name but a few), as well, of course, as our local Aussie teenagers.
Although I have more than 60 years of driving experience, to impart to them, I also learn a lot from these students about their own cultures & it gives me an opportunity to impart more of our own. They also teach me a lot about the world my own grandchildren are growing up in and help me understand the very different, and sometimes complicated issues they face in these modern times. So it’s not just a one way thing there is multi varied learning on both sides.
Some of the students come from quite challenging backgrounds & it a pleasure to see their level of positivity change as they succeed, in various steps along the 100 hour road to gaining their P licence.
The programme also has very valuable benefits for the community at large, as some of the students are on un-employment benefits, and most of them, once they gain their licences are able to venture into employment or study pathways, which has very positive outcome for both themselves and the community. For instance, quite a few of the Yazidi female students want to go into nursing, a much needed vocation, in an aging population.
I only volunteer for a couple of sessions each day of the week, but find it tremendously enjoyable and full of positive outcomes. Would I do it again, certainly! Would I recommended the programme to other potential mentors, definitely – so get involved.
Learn more about becoming a PCYC volunteer below.
If you’ve ever stepped into the PCYC South Burnett gym and been greeted with a big smile and an infectious energy, chances are, Lori was in the building! She welcomes everyone with enthusiasm and is always ready to push them to their limits.
💪 Favourite Exercise: Burpees (of course!)
🔥 Favourite Sayings: “The taste of vomit after a workout is the taste of success.”
My fitness journey began 16 years ago as a volunteer. From there, I became a group fitness trainer and progressed to a personal trainer.
Everything! I love inspiring and encouraging people to achieve things they never thought possible. I love the lifestyle, feeling fit and strong, staying busy, and being a role model for my family and community.
I am always training to reach new personal bests, believing that progressive overload is the key to getting stronger.
My favourite moment in my journey would have to be completing Level 2 CrossFit training!
Discover PCYC South Burnett or view the club timetable.
My name is Victoria and like many others, I have a PCYC story. As I entered my final year of university, I was ready to extend my knowledge of marketing beyond the lecture hall or tutorial room. I applied for an internship and was lucky enough to be offered a place within the Marketing, Media, Communication & Fundraising Team. I was excited about the opportunity and ready to start working!
The collaborative nature of the team allowed me to work with a range of managers, assisting with social media, fundraising, blogs and even getting involved in our events. I was thrown in the deep end, introduced to new platforms and developing my knowledge in a way I couldn’t just sitting in my university classes. I always felt supported and knew there was a team member with words of wisdom to help solve any issue I came across. I got to show my creative side by coming up with content ideas and was excited to work at our 70th anniversary Gala Ball, where we saw months of hard work come into action.
After several months, my time as a PCYC Queensland intern came to an end, but this was by no means the end of my journey. After developing strong bonds with my team, I stayed on as a volunteer, helping with events such as the Ekka. In October, I returned to the MMCF team in a paid position. I was excited to re-join the team and begin working on our new website. As I begin 2019, I reflect on the many opportunities PCYC Queensland has given me and am looking forward to continuing my work this year.
Learn more about becoming a PCYC Volunteer below.
Hi, I’m Lexi, and I’ve been volunteering for the PCYC gymnastics team since nearly the start of this year, and it’s been the best!
I’ve been so lucky to have been included in training courses where I have been learning leadership skills and guided by some really talented and caring coaches. One of the best parts about working for the team, is how encouraging and supportive everyone is. I help two afternoons a week after school coaching young gymnasts. It’s such a lovely environment to be in, surrounded by happy and motivated people who are all enjoying what they do. I also really love having the chance to use the awesome equipment myself when classes have finished, and the coaches have a few spare minutes to have a laugh and chat amongst each other.
If it’s something you’re interested in doing, I highly recommend joining the team. It’s awesome!
Learn more about becoming a PCYC Volunteer below.
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!
