Men hoping to help at-risk teenagers change course
As youth offenders continue to cause terror across the southwest, one group is hoping a holistic approach will teach out-of-control teens to go against the grain, writes Peta McEachern
A CHINCHILLA organisation is hoping to instil a sense of self-worth in the community’s most at-risk youth offenders by teaching them life skills and to go against the grain.
The Men’s Shed has formed a partnership with Chinchilla police to teach atrisk teens new skills, and show them an alternative to a life of crime in the hopes a holistic approach will tackle the southwest town’s alarming youth crime problem.
The latest incident happened on Monday when a teen from Toowoomba, being pursued by police, entered an elderly Chinchilla resident’s unlocked home on Burbank St at 11pm and stole a car.
President of the Chinchilla Men’s Shed Richard Nixon believed his organisation would provide an alternative path for teenagers who were committing crimes, if they’re willing to try.
“Everyone deserves a chance,” Mr Nixon said.
“Some might be set in their ways and hard to change… but honestly, I think they should be given a chance anyway.”
In the first 10 months of 2020, the town of Chinchilla and its residents have been living through a prolonged crimespree, with 48 cars stolen since January, double the amount for the same time period in 2019.
With 86 Chinchilla homes broken into in 2020 to date and with youth offenders behind a significant chunk of the crimes, the community has reacted with two petitions demanding action from the Queensland Government.
The petitions caught the attention of Police Minister Mark Ryan and resulted in new localised police programs to help tackle the complex issue.
Mr Nixon said the Men’s Shed program was one that would hopefully make a difference by teaching basic carpentry skills, how to fix things and be creative with woodwork.
The 72-year-old retiree said becoming more self-sufficient and confident in your own abilities gave a person hope for the future.
“Ordinarily they might not get the opportunity with their parents to learn these skills, when I was younger if you had a question like that you would go to your father and he would show you,” Mr Nixon said.
“I don’t think a lot of these children had that same opportunity.
“They might be missing some of those things at home and if they can see what can be done, how to help others, and learn hands on skills - it should be good.”
Born in 1948, in Chatswood, Sydney, Mr Nixon said his parents instilled in him from a young age that mistakes happen, and not to be so quick to judge.
“I was brought up to take people as they are, not who you think them to be, and let them make mistakes,” Mr Nixon said.
“You don’t judge people straight-up.”
Working in Alice Springs as an auxiliary policeman for 11 years, Mr Nixon said he could understand the community’s outrage over the spike in crime in the small country town but said empathy and understanding would be the way to fix the roots of the cause.
“I know some people who have been touched by the juvenile’s around Chinchilla, most of them have lived here
all their lives, and they were able to walk out of their house and never worry about locking up,” he said.
“But I guess it’s just a sign of the times. You have to look at the other side too, how these (teenagers) have gotten to where they are, and realise they still have time to help in the community and do something.”
At its heart the Men’s Shed is built around mateship and provides members of the community the opportunity to connect while learning new skills.
“Some members just come to socialise, at the same time (the teenagers) might be interested in listening and learning from them,” Mr Nixon said.
For anyone interested in contacting the Chinchilla Mens’ Shed, contact Cath Brandon on 4662 7661.