March 14, 2022
South Burnett CTC has been awarded a $709,853 grant to run a two-year program aimed at helping at-risk youth in the South Burnett.
“The Best Thing That Happened Today” project has been funded under Round 6 of the State Government’s Safer Communities Fund.
The project aims to assist youth, aged 12 to 24, and will be delivered in Nanango, Kingaroy, Murgon, Proston, Wondai and Blackbutt.
It will employ a dedicated youth worker and a support worker – who will be a young person themselves – to deliver targeted courses, activities and outreach services.
The activities will be designed to provide an early intervention into anti-social behaviour as well as increase community support for young people that may be at risk, build resilience and life skills.
Key activities will include artist workshops, cyber safety, tenancy skills, financial literacy, a learner driver program and cooking classes.
There will also be workshops that focus on communication skills and how to cope with low self-esteem, depression and anxiety.
Participants will also learn more about working on a farm, volunteering, educational pathways and will make connections with local sporting and community groups.
South Burnett CTC CEO Nina Temperton said it was a really good program which she believed would make a difference in young people’s lives.
The CTC program is one of 75 community-led projects across Australia which have been funded by the Federal Government in a bid to help high-risk young people break the cycle of repeat offending.
Federal Member for Maranoa David Littleproud said he was pleased the South Burnett community had the chance to benefit from the early intervention funding.
“The ‘Best Thing That Happened Today’ project will change the internal community story and provide local youth in the South Burnett with the support they need to keep them away from negative influences and anti-social behaviour,” Mr Littleproud said.
“This program ensures young people can get the support and assistance they need. I thank and congratulate South Burnett CTC for their ongoing work, which we are proud to support. It’s all about creating a stronger, safer community.”
