(Photo: QPS)
August 28, 2018
It’s all happening at the South Burnett PCYC in Murgon on Monday and Wednesday mornings.
Despite the cold mornings and early starts, a bunch of kids from Cherbourg line up for the bus to take them to the PCYC for some energetic workouts and games before enjoying a hearty breakfast.
The fun activities are part of the Queensland Police Service’s Blue Edge program which provides opportunities for local children to be surrounded by positive people.
QPS Liaison Officers and program mentors Leah Hunter and Laurie Bateman said the children take positive behaviours from the program back with them to think about and bring into their everyday lives.
Guest speakers also encourage the children with strong messages.
A recent guest was Uncle Max Conlon, a local Minister and much-loved Cherbourg resident.
“Uncle Max spoke about grasping opportunities, making the right choices, commitment and pride. The kids were perfectly behaved and really seemed to take in what he was saying,” Laurie said.
The breakfasts are cooked by Senior Sergeant Lance Guteridge, with assistance from other police and liaison officers from both Murgon and Cherbourg police stations.
This week, the Blue Edge participants enjoyed another dynamic exercise program full of fun and games, run by program mentor Senior Constable Danielle Gordon.
They also were treated to special guest speaker Grant Gamlen, the co-ordinator of the Queensland Blue Light Association.
PCYC manager Sergeant Rod Gelderblom said the Blue Edge program would run for eight weeks.
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Last Friday, Murgon Police Station was inundated with 15 special little guests … pre-prep students from the Murgon C&K Kindy.
Led by child care director Amanda Dennien, the excited young students were given a guided tour by Plain Clothes Senior Constable Ben Van Der Lugt.
The children tried on police accoutrement vests and police kevlar vests.
They also had the opportunity to sit in and look around in the police vehicles, and listened to the very loud police sirens!
The children gave a special ‘hello’ to the Toowoomba Police Communication Centre through the police vehicle radio, too.
It was a fun day had by all, even the parents were keen to tag along.
