Eight young men graduate from Project Booyah equipped for future

Minister for Communities and Minister for Disability Services and Seniors, the Honourable Coralee O’Rourke MP joined Inspector Stephen Batterham of Townsville District for the Townsville Project Booyah graduation today.

Minister O’Rourke and Inspector Batterham were pleased to be a part of the ceremony and congratulate eight young men who had finished the program.

Project Booyah is a QPS led early intervention and community program which in partnership with PCYC targets ‘at risk’ youths who are involved in criminal or anti-social behaviour.

The program addresses the participants’ disengagement with family members, their community and education and works towards giving them skills for life. This is done through police mentoring, leadership and adventure-based learning.

Inspector Batterham said the project did great things for not only the individuals partaking, but the community as a whole.

“The eight young men graduating today have successfully completed the Project Booyah program,” Inspector Batterham said.

“With the help of the program, each of these young men have taken significant steps to be able to improve their health, education and employment opportunities.

“I am grateful to be here to see these successful participants graduate today and take the skills they have learnt further into their futures.”

Minister O’Rourke said Project Booyah was playing a part in the Queensland Government’s commitment to reducing crime and incarceration rates of young people.

“It is nothing short of a great accomplishment that has enabled these young men to stand here proudly today,” Minister O’Rourke said.

“Project Booyah continues to assist the Queensland Government in ensuring education and employment opportunities are easily assessible to young Queenslanders.

“Congratulations to all who have graduated from the program today.

“The eight young men should be extremely proud of themselves after participating in and completing this wonderful program.

“I wish them all the best of luck for their futures.”

/Public Release. View in full here.