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!
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.
What do 19-year-old Ava Knihinick and 82-year-old David Gill have in common? They are both dedicated PCYC Queensland volunteers, showing age is no barrier when it comes to assisting the charity with its mission.
This National Volunteer Week, PCYC is celebrating the diversity of our wonderful volunteers: whatever their age, skills, or background, they contribute every day by helping the organisation build safer, healthier communities through youth development.
Across Queensland, more than 1700 volunteers give their time, knowledge, and energy to help PCYC Queensland deliver training, support and recreational programs targeting young people, and building some incredible relationships and community connections while they do it.
PCYC Queensland CEO, Phil Schultz said National Volunteer Week is an important time for PCYC Queensland to celebrate and highlight the diversity of the volunteering experience at PCYC Queensland.
“Our volunteers come to PCYC from all walks of life, do a huge range of jobs, and really are the backbone of our organisation,” he said.
“From retirees seeking to give back and connect with young people in their communities, to teenagers and young adults seeking the support and experience to forge a pathway in their careers – the stories of each of our volunteers are unique and inspiring.”
Ava Knihinick, 19, an Adult Leader in PCYC Queensland’s Emergency Services Cadets (ESC) program is one such inspiring volunteer. Ava has been involved in the ESC program since 2019.
Ava juggles her commitment to ESC with studying to become paramedic and working as a tennis coach. Ava believes her time as a PCYC volunteer has helped her gain the support and experience to pursue her career path.
Ava advocates for other young people (especially women) to enter the emergency services.
“I think it’s important for women to have mentors. It goes back to the concept of ‘if you can see it, you can be it’,” she said.
“Having role models is essential to show young women that it can be done. It gives young women confidence in themselves to achieve their goals and strive for success.
“The opportunities within PCYC Queensland are amazing and so are the people you meet along the way. It’s such a rewarding opportunity – I think it’s such a privilege to be part of the ESC program.”
At 82, David Gill is proud to be one of PCYC Queensland’s oldest volunteers. As a driver-mentor for the Braking the Cycle program for more than four years, David provides safe driving mentorship to young drivers seeking to gain their licence.
David said he gets great satisfaction from seeing the direct, practical outcomes of his volunteering in his community.
“The main reward for me is to see the young people I mentor get their licence – and go on to get the job they were seeking – it changes their lives and you can see them grow in confidence,” he said.
“It’s not often you can see the direct outcome of the organisation’s mission manifest itself. Volunteering with the Braking the Cycle program and seeing the community outcomes, really is at the essence of what PCYC Queensland is all about.”
About National Volunteer Week 2025: Connecting Communities
National Volunteer Week 2025 is celebrating the power of volunteering to bring people together with the theme ‘Connecting Communities’.
Volunteering creates lasting relationships that enrich lives and strengthen communities. Join us as we explore how giving to others fosters community engagement, connection and belonging.
Let’s acknowledge the spirit of connection and the incredible impact volunteers have in building thriving and inclusive communities.
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!
