A charity that runs an early intervention program for vulnerable boys in regional areas says it's changing their lives and transforming their communities.
The 15-year-old is looking for his favourite dairy cow, Nessie, when he proudly reveals that he is six weeks sober.
The not-for-profit charity runs programs in 10 locations across New South Wales and Victoria, with plans to expand to 32 locations over the next five years.Sometimes participants do schoolwork at the shed; on other days they go fishing, bike riding or do volunteer work at local businesses.On the border of Victoria and New South Wales, the Echuca program has been running for 18 months.
By the fourth year, it aims to have have assisted more than 3,000 boys and teenagers — which in turn, benefits their communities.Greeted with the buzz of shavers and the sound of sheep's hooves on wooden boards, there is hesitation and nervousness as the group of boys enter a hot, smelly shearing shed.Some keep their distance by sweeping up wool but others, like the usually reserved Willy, jump right in and grab the sheep.
"We discovered out fishing how much he enjoys playing with small engines. So, we take him out to a local business on a Monday and he tinkers with engines and puts things together," Mr Thomson said.Andrew Thomson says for some of the boys in the program, it's the first time they've had a positive male figure in their lives."It's all about providing male mentors for boys who don't typically have them in their lives," he said.
"These boys really want our time, connection and structure. Typically, the boys coming into our program don't have that."Anglicare Victoria, which runs several youth programs, says there is a desperate need for increased government funding to run early intervention programs.But Mr Oerlemans says early intervention programs are the most effective way to re-engage at-risk young people.
Troubled Youth Boys To The Bush Sheep Shearing Rural Life Regional Communities Youth Justice Early Intervention Youth Support Youth Engagement Anglicare Victoria At Risk Youth
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Doctors, nurses raise alarm as scheme for bush health workers on chopping block“To scrap it entirely without any alternative risks exacerbating already serious staffing issues in our regions,” QNMU secretary Sarah Beaman said.
Read more »
Kate Bush joins campaign against AI using artists’ work without permissionSinger-songwriter follows Paul McCartney and others in speaking out as ministers consider opt-out system
Read more »
Fire authorities remain on high alert as Victoria's bush is 'ready to burn'Melbourne is forecast to reach a high of 41 degrees, while Mildura could see temperatures soar to 46 degrees.
Read more »
Nissan Patrol Equipped to Handle Canberra's Bush Capital ChallengesThe ACT Ambulance Service has chosen the Nissan Patrol as the vehicle for its Remote Area Paramedic (RAP) team, allowing them to access remote and challenging areas around Canberra.
Read more »
Former Hunter youth worker sentenced to 18 years' jail for abusing 11 boys in his careNeville Joseph Knight abused boys he had met while working as a boxing coach and youth worker at different PCYCs in regional NSW between 1967 and 2003.
Read more »
The Nickel Boys by Colson Whitehead audiobook review – a dark chapter in America’s pastA pair of boys try to survive the horrors of a US reform school during the segregated 60s in this Pulitzer-winning novel
Read more »