Cam’s ‘fortnight’ becomes 16 years at ant’s nest that’s PCYC
FACEBOOK IS a very happy medium for me because it gives me the opportunity to communicate with the world.
Some nice little surprises turn up, like this recent message I received.
“Evening Johno, with all this talk about unemployment, the bonus dole and no jobs etc etc, it’s worth recalling that PCYC’s Cam Crisp hosted a very successful Work for the Dole program.
“Might be worth a story or a chat with him.”
So chat with him I did, and he told me the program had ended.
I could have said thank you and headed home, but I decided to push on and find out more about this much-loved character.
He’s humble all right, but he did let go of a few things.
(Sergeant) Cam Crisp attended Toowoomba South Boys School and Centenary Heights State High School and became a Queensland Police cadet in 1982.
In 2004, he became manager of the PCYC (Police-Citizens Youth Club) for a fortnight and 16 years later he’s still there.
Some fortnight!
Mrs C wanted their son to play football (soccer), and naturally Cam became an instant coach, like so many mums and dads, and in the years following he coached the Toowoomba Thunder and state Futsal teams
PCYC was launched in 1948, at Brisbane’s Lang Park, and it recognised that some youngsters needed a little help through life.
The Toowoomba branch opened in 1969 and, as with all branches, is run by the Queensland Police Service.
Cam has other police officers in the team along with business managers, mentors, 61 staff and volunteers.
I confess my only interaction with PCYC has been at the James St markets on Sunday mornings where I became aware of some serious grunting within its walls – I concluded physical activity was under way.
You might think of PCYC as a charity, so let me assure you that this is one very significant business.
Nothing’s off the burgeoning program which already includes Indigenous sport and recreation, crime prevention initiatives, self-development programs, physical fitness programs for potential victims of domestic violence, and programs for youngsters who are at risk of probable suspension from school.
Martial arts, boxing, dance, gymnastics, fitness, cycle safety and learn to drive programs are in the mix along with vacation care and before and after school care.
Visiting PCYC is akin to being in an ant’s nest, it’s a very busy place.
Sadly for our community, Cam has to retire at 60, which is a Queensland Police requirement, but I bet you’ll still see him around the place for at least another one of his “fortnights”.