Project Booyah Toowoomba celebrates latest graduating class

A program that takes young people at risk of offending and puts them through a 16-weeks course aimed at building confidence and self-respect, with the aim of getting them back in school or into a job, has celebrated its latest group of graduates.

The latest class of Project Booyah Toowoomba students have celebrated their graduation, alongside classes from Townsville, Mackay, Rockhampton, Logan, Ipswich, South Brisbane and the Gold Coast.

All totalled, 63 young people graduated from the 16-week Queensland Police Service mentorship program that focuses on leadership, education, adventure-based learning and vocational pathways.

It takes in at-risk young people who have disengaged from school and work, and each activity is aimed at building confidence, self-esteem, emotional regulation and diverting them away from offending.

Chief Inspector Michael Volk talks to media about Project Booyah youth program in Toowoomba at Denise Kable Youth Services Centre, Tuesday, March 12, 2024. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Project Booyah Chief Inspector Michael Volk said each semester of the program proves time and time again the power of early intervention.

“Each of these graduates should be immensely proud of all they’ve achieved the past 16-weeks,” Chief Inspector Volk said.

“I applaud all of the program co-ordinators, youth workers and community members who play a part in guiding, supporting and educating these young men and women.

“They’re now on to further education, traineeships and employment with a new mindset, great friends and the whole Booyah team behind them.”

Project Booyah Toowoomba class graduates from highly successfuly 16-week mentor program.

The highly-successful program launched in Toowoomba in February this year and was part of a broad response to escalating youth crime.

It was this type of early intervention The Chronicle was calling for during its Enough is Enough Campaign, that launched after the death of Robert Brown after he was pushed over and killed during a daylight robbery outside Grand Central Shopping Centre in 2023.

Three teens were charged over the offence. One has pleaded guilty to manslaughter, with the other remaining on remand.

About 66 per participants continue with education or training after graduating from the program, while about 30 per cent get a job.

Originally published as Project Booyah Toowoomba celebrates latest graduating class