Youths get back on track
YOUNG offenders are learning respect and a connection to country under the wings of Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service rangers.
When marine park ranger Evan Ivey moved to Townsville with his family 18 months ago, the city was in the grip of a youth crime epidemic.
“My partner eventually got a job in Youth Justice and I thought, ‘ what could we, the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service do, to help the community?’,” Mr Ivey said.
“I thought, ‘ why couldn’t we do a joint program together and give these kids some strong indigenous role models and give back to the community?’.”
More than a dozen young offenders have taken part in the Rangers as Role Models program since Mr Ivey instigated it a little over a year ago.
The teenagers are put to work with marine rangers out on the water and at North Queensland islands, includ- ing Magnetic, Hinchinbrook, Palm and Orpheus.
They assist with tasks such as track maintenance, basic repairs and carpentry, weed control, marine debris cleanup and feral animal control.
“It’s not a walk in the park for these young people, they have to work hard,” Mr Ivey said.
“We wanted these young people to see strong role models within the community and show these people want positive things indigenous people can do in the community.
“We want them to pick up some works skills along the way and life skills as well like improved social engagement.
“I see this as them giving