They ain’t no joke: Cairns Fire Project keeping kids off the streets with its FNQ Slam nights

Free food, basketball and a nightclub DJ are among the clever tactics a with-it youth program has employed to keep directionless kids away from mischief, but one thing is holding the whole initiative back.

Cairns Fire Project, a nascent youth program, is beginning to score big with the community by showing it can successfully steer troubled young people toward positive activities.

The project’s team engages with street-lurking youths through several methods, but its basketball nights at Earlville Shopping Town (EST) are proving particularly popular.

Known as FNQ Slam, the EST and Fire Project staff transform a carpark into a sporting complex once per month.

The August and September events attracted dozens of participants.

Annie (second from right) from Yarrabah plays basketball with her friends, Fire Project staff member Jackson Ahwang and EST staff member Janice Stratton at the FNQ Slam event. Picture: Hart Creative Co

“It’s about engaging with the kids – stopping them from loitering in the shopping centres by putting on some basketball,” Emma Cooke, the Fire Project’s business manager, said.

“It shows the kids they don’t need to feel threatened by adults and lets them know that we’re here for them.”

Cairns DJ William Tim plays some popular tunes at the FNQ Slam event. Picture: Hart Creative Co.

Free food is available for event participants, courtesy of Coles supermarket, and a DJ blasts some popular tunes throughout the evening to get everyone into a joyful mindset.

“It’s been a great initiative. We try to get as many of the shops from EST involved. The security come along and they play as well. We can’t wait for the next one,” Ms Cooke said.

But despite its popularity, the event’s future isn’t guaranteed as it relies on funding from the Qld Police’s co-responder team initiative.

Earlville Shopping Town staff have agreed to keep supporting the FNQ Slam event. Picture: Hart Creative Co

Another event is scheduled for Thursday, October 20, but without further dollars it could be the final edition.

Fire Project founding director Marc Harbrow said the outcome of an independent review by JCU will determine the event’s longevity.

“We’ve had good participation. Families have rocked up. It really shows that we have to continue it,” Mr Harbrow said.

“The purpose of the Fire Project is to target anti-social behaviours in the youth cohort. We connect with children, build relationships and refer them to positive activities.

“It’s a real response to the growing issue of young people having too much time on their hands, experimenting with anti-social activities and, sometimes, engaging in crime.”

Originally published as They ain’t no joke: Cairns Fire Project keeping kids off the streets with its FNQ Slam nights