It was a proud evening for 11 young people when they received their Duke of Edinburgh’s Award at a ceremony at the Brisbane Youth Detention Centre recently...
Their pride was shared by their family and friends who attended the event, as well as the Department of Communities staff who have guided both the Dukes at BYDC program and the young people themselves.
It was an evening of firsts, with two young people receiving Silver Awards for the first time at BYDC, and the program’s two female participants receiving their Bronze Awards. One of the Silver Award winners spoke at the ceremony, offering a vote of thanks to Dukes facilitator Epesino Lilino, of the BYDC Programs Team, for helping “more than anyone would know”.
Speaking of The Award recipients on the night, Epesino said: “We gather here today to acknowledge them, salute them and thank them for taking the opportunity.”
The Dukes program at BYDC is the result of a partnership with the Brisbane Youth Education and Training Centre, which is within the grounds of BYDC. Acting principal Belinda Leavers said the program helped the young people strive to reach their potential. “They have been excellent role models for others on centre,” she said.
Director-General Linda Apelt told the audience that the success of the program and its participants was paving the way for other young people in the youth justice system to experience the award’s challenges and benefits.
“Planning is well underway to initiate the program in the Cleveland Youth Detention Centre and through the Ipswich Youth Justice Service,” the Director-General said.
“It is easy to see that the program has provided the young people here with the chance to learn more about themselves and others — and the valuable contribution they can make to their community.”
She said the community service component of the Dukes program, where the young people had helped around the centre with maintenance and catering, enabled them to give something back.
The Dukes program has been offered to young people at BYDC since 2006, with three staff at the Centre having completed their Registered Expedition Instructor training.
Over the past year, the Department of Communities has worked to make the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award program available to a broader range of young people in the community. The program has been expanded into Indigenous communities and has formally involved more community organisations working with young people, including PCYCs.
The Team: Back row from left - MC and General Manager, Youth and Development Cathy Taylor, Brisbane Youth Education and Training Centre Head of Curriculum Leah Fountaine, BYDC A/Director Nigel McReaddie, BYDC music teacher Barry Wilson, Director-General Linda Apelt, Brisbane Youth Education and Training Centre A/Principal Belinda Leavers, BYDC A/Program Co-ordinator John Cole, front row, BYDC Executive Officer Jane Crichton, BYDC Program Co-ordinator Tracey Whitwell, and Dukes facilitator Epesino Lilino.