Projects supported in 2009
The Foundation was proud to support the following projects (and Organisations) during the year. Below is a short list of examples to show the variety of projects operating in Victoria.
Operation NEWSTART
Operation NEWSTART is a partnership between Victoria Police and the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development. It is an early intervention program from adolescents in the state secondary school systems that are deemed to be at significant educational risk. Operation NEWSTART aims to help students understand the great opportunities that life has to offer them and to make school a happier and more satisfying environment for them.
The Victoria Police Youth Foundation supports Operation Newstart by contributing to the purchase of a motor vehicle.
2009 Moonee Valley Police Kokoda Project
The "Kokoda Project" has succeeded in breaking down the barriers and building strong and lasting relationships between police and youth in the Moonee Valley community. Police from the Moonee Valley Police Service Area, travelled with a group of students, to Papua New Guinea to walk the Kokoda Track.
The Victoria Police Youth Foundation, for the second year, sponsored this very worthwhile project by way of a donation.
Maryborough Energy Break Through 24 hour Challenge
Ballarat Police partnered with BEST Youth Works to enter a team in the ENERGY BREAK THROUGH 24 HOUR CHALLENGE held in Maryborough from 19-22 November, 2009. The project involved up to 20 youths participating in a variety of aspects of constructing a Human Powered Vehicle.
The Victoria Police Youth Foundation donated funds to support the young people of Ballarat enter the Challenge and received visual recognition on the team uniform and vehicle.
Border Tust - Choir of Hope & Inspiration (Albury/Wodonga)
Border Trust is a community foundation established to allow local people to shape their communities by directing resources to support worthwhile regional initiatives. The Choir of Hope & Inspiration (formerly known as The Choir of Hard Knocks) visited the region and assisted some of the local young people to broaden their horizons for growth and change.
The Victoria Police Youth Foundation was pleased to sponsor the concert by The Choir and subsequent workshop by Jonathon Welch for the young people of Wodonga.
Beechworth Boxing Gym
The Beechworth Boxing Gym opened in 2005 and is run by Mr John McCubbin. The key stakeholders in the gym are John, La Trobe University, Victoria Police, Beechworth Correctional Centre and the Rotary Club of Beechworth. The gym has been a means to "break down the barriers" between police and local youth.
The Victoria Police Youth Foundation assisted the Gym to replace the old equipment with new equipment for this very worthwhile youth facility.
Yarra L2P Program
Good Shepherd Youth & Community Service conducted a new program in Collingwood called "L2P" (Learner driver to Probationary driver) in order for young people to accrue the 120 hours of supervised driving practice required before taking the Probationary Licence test. Good Shepherd identified that some young people in Collingwood may not have access to a car, or an adult in their life who is able to supervise their driving on a regular basis.
The Victoria Police Youth Foundation supported Good Shepherd by contributing to the purchase of a motor vehicle.
Duke of Edinburgh's Award in Australia
The Duke of Edinburgh's Award has been challenging young Australians from all walks of life, to strive for personal excellence whilst engaging meaningfully with their community.
The Victoria Police Youth Foundation supported Awards Victoria to enable two young people who will be identified by Award staff as genuinely requiring financial support to be involved in the Duke of Edinburgh's Award overseas Expeditions to Nepal and/or Cambodia.
Kerang Police Youth Project in partnership with the Kerang and Cohuna Secondary Schools
As part of the "youth portfolio" duties carried out by Kerang Police, a Constable accompanied 10 local Year 12 students to Cambodia to supervise and assist the students work in a remote community. The initiative is seen as an "alternative to schoolies week".
The Victoria Police Youth Foundation contributed to the travel costs and the purchase and printing of polo tops for the group.
Western Chances ACMI Digital Storytelling Project Workshop and Screening Night
Western Chances assists young people in the western suburbs to realise their potential through the provision of scholarships and other related programs. The ACMI digital storytelling project allowed 10 young people to tell their own autobiographical story through the medium of Digital Storytelling.
The Victoria Police Youth Foundation sponsored the 3 day digital storytelling workshop and screening night at ACMI.