The Whitsunday region is in safe hands with its next generation of leaders handpicked in a state-wide police program which hopes to develop these young trailblazer’s skills.
Proserpine State High School students Rachel Hutchinson, Ruby Hearn, and Hayden Hearn were selected by PCYC Branch Manager and Police Sergeant Billy Li for the State Youth Leadership Program (SYLP).
Part of the local PCYC branch’s Youth Group, the students were chosen to participate in the program designed to prepare young people for more active roles in not just their PCYC, but as active leaders for their entire community.
The program, which is run at no cost to the participants, is a five-day, four-night camp held during the school holidays and led by PCYC Bornhoffen which acts as an experiential education framework – helping young leaders flourish and build confidence through “adventure-based learning”.
It has been running from 2003, and its experience is valued at over $1,200 per participant, but money can’t buy a place – it is by invitation only and is one of the “most unique and exclusive programs in Australia” of its type.
SYLP is broken up into three separate trips to Bornhoffen, each more limited in capacity than the last; SYLP One is open to almost 60 teenagers, while SYLP two and three halve that number.
Sergeant Billy Li’s students experienced SYLP One and Two, with Hayden Hearn experiencing the former and Rachel Hutchinson and Ruby Hearn the latter.
Sergeant Billy Li said he chose his three local candidates because the program would be of benefit to them and guide them in becoming new leaders.
“I believe they were ready to go on the program and that’s why I chose them; I think they will be able to take a lot of the lessons into their daily lives,” Sergeant Li said.
The experiences the students had throughout both SYLP One and Two included activities like slacklining, creeking, high ropes and more.
Hayden Hearn said that SYLP was about stepping up and taking the lead, while Rachel Hutchinson said it helped her with time management, and Ruby Hearn added it was about trust.
“I think I’m going to be able to take a lot of what SYLP showed me and put it into my daily life,” Hayden said.
Each Proserpine student said they were extremely happy to have been a part of the prestigious program and hoped it would help them with careers post-school.
“I’m really hoping to join the air force cadets,” Hayden said.
Young leaders Hayden Hearn, Ruby Hearn, and Rachel Hutchinson with Police Sergeant Billy Li
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