Emergency Services Cadet Unit Leader Izabella Tyrell is an inspiration, taking her team to the Cadet Games two years in a row despite some challenging personal circumstances.
The 16-year-old from Emerald also took part in the Queensland Family and Child Commission’s Youth Summit in Brisbane on 10 April.
Izabella gave a speech at the Youth Summit about her family’s experience of the rural health care system.
Izabella’s mother Kristy is very unwell and being treated as an outpatient of Hervey Bay Hospital, separated from her four children and husband by a seven-hour drive.
Izabella is trying to improve rural healthcare, so that it can better serve families like hers.
“I want to see greater investment in rural healthcare, improved access to specialists, and greater recognition of the impact that health inequity has on young people,” Izabella said.
As well as advocating for better healthcare, Izabella has been active in PCYC’s Emergency Services Cadets since 2022, mentored by Sgt Julia Palmer.
She was one of the first cadets in Emerald and has worked her way up to Unit Leader.
Activities Izabella has participated in at Emergency Services Cadets include first aid, casualty management, search and rescue, swift water theory, road safety, forensics, highway patrol, K9 units, navigation, radio communications, team building and problem solving, as well as attending the Cadet Games for the past two years.
“I have taken my team to the Cadet Games in Townsville twice, placing second both times,” Izabella said.
“I love leading others and all the experiences I have had at Cadets.”
Izabella would like to take what she has learned at Emergency Services Cadets to become a police officer in the future.
Izabella currently goes above and beyond the call of duty to attend school, Emergency Services Cadets, her part time job, and to help her Dad look after the family, all whilst missing her much loved Mum!
Izabella’s father Ben is so proud of his daughter.
“Kristy and I are super proud of Izabella and everything she has achieved and we can’t wait to see what she achieves in the future,” Ben said.
PCYC Queensland’s young cadets took part in ESCape Week last week – an unforgettable series of exciting, hands-on experiences, provided thanks to emergency service professionals giving them a taste of a career in emergency services.
Emergency Services Cadets (ESCs) can only be chosen to participate in ESCape week once, and this year’s group showed their bravery, tenacity and willingness to learn.
This year the cadets experienced marine rescue and water safety challenges, learned skills to help in alcohol related trauma and accidents, searched for missing persons, used fire-fighting equipment, and spent time with the bomb squad and Polair.
PCYC ESC Program Coordinator Kerrieann Ruatoka’s highlight was seeing the students step out of their comfort zones and really engage with the different activities throughout the week.
“There was such a great sense of connection, energy, and growth. It was also really rewarding to hear the positive feedback from both students and staff about the impact the program is having,” Kerrieann said.
PCYC ESC Manager Sue Bernard enjoyed watching the Cadets grow from day one of ESCape Week, when they didn’t even know each other to becoming a great group of friends who take care of each other. It’s something she never tires of.
“The most memorable day was when I took a detour on our drive home from the Gold Coast, so that we got to spend a precious few minutes at the beach – which some of our regional Cadets had never seen before. That is a gift that will stay with me long after everything is done,” Sue said.
