Police Monthly May 2013 - NSW Police Force

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Making a Splash, A group of young people from remote NSW recently visited Sydney as part of a joint NSWPF initiative. STORY AMANDA BEADMAN POLICE MONTHLY IMAGES CHRIS ALLEN PHOTOGRAPHY No one who saw Brandy Lamb take to the surf on Bondi Beach last month would have guessed she was from an isolated town 821 kilometres west. Well-balanced on her surfboard and carefree with the waves, the 14-year-old seemed like a natural on the nation’s most well-known strip of sand, although she was modest about her abilities. “I think I’m ok at surfing,” she said. “Although a lot of times I was just getting smashed by the waves.” Brandy was one of 10 Aboriginal kids visiting from Goodooga, a rural remote town in northern NSW. The trip, with a packed itinerary spanning seven days, was organised by NSWPF officers, Aboriginal Community Liaison Officers from Walgett Police Station and staff from Goodooga High School. According to Brandy, the initiative has the potential to change young lives for the better. “Trips like this help kids make the right choices, instead of turning to drugs and things like that,” she said. “It makes us feel more positive about things.” Aboriginal people comprise around 80% of Goodooga’s modest population of less than 300, with 29% of the Aboriginal population aged under 15. Aboriginal communities within the town and its surrounding areas are plagued by high unemployment rates, substance abuse and domestic violence. Walgett Det Snr Cst Dane Poole was one of the officers who helped make the Goodooga to Sydney trip a reality. Having worked across Sydney for 10 years in areas such as Redfern, Newtown, Ashfield, and the Eastern Suburbs, he said the communities around Walgett – including Goodooga – had presented him with a new set of challenges. “The local children have very few role models in their communities. School attendance is significantly low and a vast quantity of the local crime can be attributed to juveniles,” Det Snr Cst Poole said. 22 PoliceMonthly MAY 2013
Making a Difference “The children involved in the trip to Sydney were selected based on school attendance and behaviour, in order to promote both attendance and good behaviour within the school and the community.” After arriving on a Sunday afternoon, the Goodooga kids headed to the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club for a Monday morning sail, followed by a visit to ANZ Stadium for the 7pm clash between South Sydney Rabbitohs and the Cronulla Sharks. On Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday morning the group started their day in the waves at Bondi, taking part in lessons provided by the Let’s Go Surfing Bondi Surf School. On the Tuesday, champion surfer Layne Beachley donated some of her time to give the amateur board riders some tips. One of the surf school instructors, Ella Godfrey, said it was heartwarming to see the young visitors embrace such an unfamiliar environment. “It is a really good thing for these kids, and as you can see they are having the time of their lives,” she said. “They are experiencing something that many of them have never experienced before.” Later in the week the group took part in an NRL training session where they met the South Sydney Rabbitohs, visited the Water Police at Balmain, sailed Sydney Harbour and experienced Taronga Zoo, as well as taking part in numerous activities connected to their Aboriginal heritage. Goodooga teenager Tamika Wood said the trip marked her first visit to the state’s capital. “I’ve never been to Sydney before and what I like most about it is… ummm…everything!” said the 14 year-old, while in the midst of a laughter infused sand fight with surfing ace Brandy. “I think this trip is a great idea because it gives us the chance to experience new things and have lots of fun.” PHOTOS Rosie, Kirsten and Delia from Goodooga in Northern NSW MAY 2013 PoliceMonthly 23
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Police Monthly May 2013 - NSW Police Force

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