❓ Mr. Alban questions the Minister for Racing and Gaming about the progress of the Northbridge youth diversion project. The Minister responds positively, highlighting the program's success in engaging youth through sport and cultural activities, and its positive impact on participants.
AnsweredQoN 523Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
NORTHBRIDGE YOUTH
DIVERSION PROJECT
523. Mr F.A. ALBAN to the Minister for Racing and Gaming:
The minister has spoken in this place before —
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER :
Member for Collie–Preston, I formally call you to order for the first
time today. Member for Midland, I formally call you to order for the first time
today.
Mr F.A. ALBAN : I
will start again. The minister has spoken in this place before about the
Liberal–National government's investment in programs aimed at
delivering real social and justice dividends for our community. Can the
minister please update the house on the progress of one of the cornerstone
projects in this area—the Northbridge youth diversion project?
DIVERSION PROJECT
523. Mr F.A. ALBAN to the Minister for Racing and Gaming:
The minister has spoken in this place before —
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER :
Member for Collie–Preston, I formally call you to order for the first
time today. Member for Midland, I formally call you to order for the first time
today.
Mr F.A. ALBAN : I
will start again. The minister has spoken in this place before about the
Liberal–National government's investment in programs aimed at
delivering real social and justice dividends for our community. Can the
minister please update the house on the progress of one of the cornerstone
projects in this area—the Northbridge youth diversion project?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for Swan Hills for the question. Before I
answer, I wish Claremont and East Fremantle all the best in the WAFL grand
final on the weekend, with a little bit of emphasis on Claremont!
I am grateful for the opportunity to draw attention to this
important program. The member is right. Our government has taken a stance in
utilising sport to try to address some of the antisocial behaviour that occurs
and provide strategies to try to assist and get better social and justice
outcomes. I have always had a strong belief that sport has a lot to contribute
in this area. That is why we are focusing on this area. The kids in sport area
highlights that. I think we will have some outstanding long-term benefits to
our society as a result.
I remind members that the Northbridge youth engagement
project commenced in January 2010. The Cities of Swan and Armadale took up the
state government's initiative to reduce the incidence of youngsters
travelling into Northbridge, particularly on Friday and Saturday nights. A lot
of kids used to be picked up there. This initiative was set up to try to divert
these kids from Northbridge and give them something to do in their local areas
relating not only to sport and recreation but also cultural activities and
getting together on Friday and Saturday nights. To target the right range, we
do not just limit activities to one thing. We provide a range of activities
such as dance, acrobatics, pool, table tennis, music and basketball, which was
one of the key planks. This is also complemented by skilled workshops, evening
meals and a lift home to make sure they get home. It is quite comprehensive.
Since 2010, the Department of Sport and Recreation has formed a partnership
with the Department of the Premier and Cabinet, the Department of Culture and
the Arts, the Department of Training and Workforce Development, WA Police, the
Job Seeker Network, Drug ARM, Armadale Youth Accommodation Service as well as
our state sporting associations and the Perth Redbacks basketball team. Over
$300 000 has been invested in these programs. We have worked with a lot of
service providers. I also give credit to the great work they have done.
Mention has been made of PCYCs. The City of Swan, in
particular, in partnership with the Midland PCYC and the City of Armadale with
the Armadale PCYC, has done a lot of great work. In fact, the Midland PCYC
recently won the JP Stratton Youth Services Award for its Friday night program.
It received that award over 22 other PCYCs across the state. The midnight
basketball program is designed to keep 12 to 18yearold kids off the streets
on a Saturday night. It involves basketball, team building exercises, skill
seminars, meals et cetera. For some of these young people, member for Collie–Preston,
this is sport actually delivering.
Mr M.P. Murray :
How is it going to work in Collie when you're shutting it down?
Mr T.K. WALDRON :
Some of these young people engaged in this program have gone on and
demonstrated great leadership qualities and taken on leadership roles. Some
have gone on and done things like umpire accreditation classes and some of kids
who first took part are now running the program. That is a fantastic result. It
shows that if we provide a nice, safe environment with good activities, kids
who sometimes come from tough circumstances will grab the opportunity. I am
delighted also that a team of Aboriginal boys who participate in midnight
basketball will now compete in the Asia Pacific Basketball Youth Cup in
Singapore in October. What a great opportunity for those kids and what great
development in their lives. The players chosen have had to maintain 80 per cent
attendance at school, training or employment and attend all team meetings and
training sessions. Well done to those youngsters. I hope they have a wonderful
time.
Briefly, just as important, member for Armadale, is the
Ignite basketball program in Armadale. It is a 40-week program, delivered by
the City of Armadale on Saturdays. The highlights of this program have been an
increase in the number of partnerships formed across non-government
organisations to support children in the city.
Mr P.B. Watson interjected.
Mr T.K. WALDRON :
The member for Albany needs to think about what he is saying at times. This is
a good program to help kids who do not have much of a chance, and I am very
proud of it. It is a program that is succeeding. The member for Armadale has a
great approach to these matters and will be excited about the Friday night
events in Armadale, including BMX, scooters and skateboarding, which is
attracting 45 to 50 young kids at the wonderful skate park that I was
privileged to open earlier this year. They have done really well. It clarifies
to me that if we give these youngsters—we need to do more of this and I
intend to do as much as we possibly can—the opportunities, they will
become engaged and make better citizens and make better communities.
The uptake in the KidSport program
of 50 per cent of the nearly 10 000 kids who have never been part of a sporting
club illustrates that. Since these programs have been in place there has been a
75 per cent decrease in the number of young people from Armadale presenting in
Northbridge and a 50 per cent decrease in the number of Midland young people
presenting on the streets of Northbridge. During some of the months no people
have been picked up from those areas. It is having a result. I acknowledge all
the project partners, and say thank you very much. This government is committed
to sport and recreation and utilising it to giving our youngsters a chance by
helping them on their way to becoming good citizens.
answer, I wish Claremont and East Fremantle all the best in the WAFL grand
final on the weekend, with a little bit of emphasis on Claremont!
I am grateful for the opportunity to draw attention to this
important program. The member is right. Our government has taken a stance in
utilising sport to try to address some of the antisocial behaviour that occurs
and provide strategies to try to assist and get better social and justice
outcomes. I have always had a strong belief that sport has a lot to contribute
in this area. That is why we are focusing on this area. The kids in sport area
highlights that. I think we will have some outstanding long-term benefits to
our society as a result.
I remind members that the Northbridge youth engagement
project commenced in January 2010. The Cities of Swan and Armadale took up the
state government's initiative to reduce the incidence of youngsters
travelling into Northbridge, particularly on Friday and Saturday nights. A lot
of kids used to be picked up there. This initiative was set up to try to divert
these kids from Northbridge and give them something to do in their local areas
relating not only to sport and recreation but also cultural activities and
getting together on Friday and Saturday nights. To target the right range, we
do not just limit activities to one thing. We provide a range of activities
such as dance, acrobatics, pool, table tennis, music and basketball, which was
one of the key planks. This is also complemented by skilled workshops, evening
meals and a lift home to make sure they get home. It is quite comprehensive.
Since 2010, the Department of Sport and Recreation has formed a partnership
with the Department of the Premier and Cabinet, the Department of Culture and
the Arts, the Department of Training and Workforce Development, WA Police, the
Job Seeker Network, Drug ARM, Armadale Youth Accommodation Service as well as
our state sporting associations and the Perth Redbacks basketball team. Over
$300 000 has been invested in these programs. We have worked with a lot of
service providers. I also give credit to the great work they have done.
Mention has been made of PCYCs. The City of Swan, in
particular, in partnership with the Midland PCYC and the City of Armadale with
the Armadale PCYC, has done a lot of great work. In fact, the Midland PCYC
recently won the JP Stratton Youth Services Award for its Friday night program.
It received that award over 22 other PCYCs across the state. The midnight
basketball program is designed to keep 12 to 18yearold kids off the streets
on a Saturday night. It involves basketball, team building exercises, skill
seminars, meals et cetera. For some of these young people, member for Collie–Preston,
this is sport actually delivering.
Mr M.P. Murray :
How is it going to work in Collie when you're shutting it down?
Mr T.K. WALDRON :
Some of these young people engaged in this program have gone on and
demonstrated great leadership qualities and taken on leadership roles. Some
have gone on and done things like umpire accreditation classes and some of kids
who first took part are now running the program. That is a fantastic result. It
shows that if we provide a nice, safe environment with good activities, kids
who sometimes come from tough circumstances will grab the opportunity. I am
delighted also that a team of Aboriginal boys who participate in midnight
basketball will now compete in the Asia Pacific Basketball Youth Cup in
Singapore in October. What a great opportunity for those kids and what great
development in their lives. The players chosen have had to maintain 80 per cent
attendance at school, training or employment and attend all team meetings and
training sessions. Well done to those youngsters. I hope they have a wonderful
time.
Briefly, just as important, member for Armadale, is the
Ignite basketball program in Armadale. It is a 40-week program, delivered by
the City of Armadale on Saturdays. The highlights of this program have been an
increase in the number of partnerships formed across non-government
organisations to support children in the city.
Mr P.B. Watson interjected.
Mr T.K. WALDRON :
The member for Albany needs to think about what he is saying at times. This is
a good program to help kids who do not have much of a chance, and I am very
proud of it. It is a program that is succeeding. The member for Armadale has a
great approach to these matters and will be excited about the Friday night
events in Armadale, including BMX, scooters and skateboarding, which is
attracting 45 to 50 young kids at the wonderful skate park that I was
privileged to open earlier this year. They have done really well. It clarifies
to me that if we give these youngsters—we need to do more of this and I
intend to do as much as we possibly can—the opportunities, they will
become engaged and make better citizens and make better communities.
The uptake in the KidSport program
of 50 per cent of the nearly 10 000 kids who have never been part of a sporting
club illustrates that. Since these programs have been in place there has been a
75 per cent decrease in the number of young people from Armadale presenting in
Northbridge and a 50 per cent decrease in the number of Midland young people
presenting on the streets of Northbridge. During some of the months no people
have been picked up from those areas. It is having a result. I acknowledge all
the project partners, and say thank you very much. This government is committed
to sport and recreation and utilising it to giving our youngsters a chance by
helping them on their way to becoming good citizens.
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