Do You Have A Passion For Supporting The Next Generation?

A Bowen youth group is looking for adult leaders to restart its operations and mentor the next generation of “heroes”.

The Emergency Services Cadets (ESC) is getting set to recommence in the Whitsundays’ northernmost township after a prolonged hiatus during the Covid pandemic.

The Scout-like program provides young people with a “safe, fun and inclusive environment that offers them practical life skills and leadership opportunities.”

Coordinated alongside the Emergency Services, the Cadet’s program is based at 25 locations across Queensland and helps encourage the exploration of careers in the various fields, either as volunteers or in paid roles.

Program Coordinator for ESC, Ashleigh Karaitiana said the Bowen program was looking for any adults who want to mentor the next generation.

“The Bowen unit has, in the past, run out of the SES headquarters, which it will again,” Ms Karaitiana said.

“For the Cadet program, we need adult leaders to give their time on a weekly basis for roughly two hours where they can teach something as simple as cooking a meal -- things that benefit the kids.”

Ms Karaitiana said adult leaders in the program do not necessarily need Emergency Services experience, although it was helpful, but that the volunteer position is for adults who want to guide the future of the country’s emergency services.

“The reward for our adult leaders is being able to see the cadets grow, both physically, mentally, emotionally,” Ms Karaitiana said.

“Seeing them build friendships, knowing that some of those cadets are going to become future emergency service personnel, that is a great feeling. Time is the greatest gift you can give.”

Volunteering enquiries, and Cadet membership, can be made at the emergencyservicescadets@pcyc.org.au email address.

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The Emergency Services Cadets is looking to restart in Bowen – all it needs is you