Andy Brittain supports a generation of Geelong kids via the Geelong Kokoda Youth Program
Police officer Andy Brittain is a dad of three but a father figure and confidant to a generation of Geelong kids.
Geelong
Don't miss out on the headlines from Geelong. Followed categories will be added to My News.
ANDY Brittain is a dad of three but a father figure and confidant to a generation of Geelong kids.
Since 2013, the police officer and colleagues have rescued more than 60 kids, aged between 15 and 17, from drug use, a lack of parental support, abuse or self-doubt via the nine-month intensive Geelong Kokoda Youth Program.
Andy’s been at the forefront of mentoring, physical training, relationship building and learning that the program, which builds up to journey along the Kokoda Track, offers.
“The only difference with the Kokoda kids and my kids is blood; the advice and my feelings go both ways,” Andy says.
“I often get told this program is the last line of defence for families; if this program doesn’t work they don’t know what’s going to happen to the young person.”
Andy’s police mentoring role extends to regular talks at schools about the dangers of drug use, poor driving behaviour and weapon use.
His phone regularly buzzes with young adults calling who have long moved on from the Kokoda program, that he says doesn’t have an end date.
“In the last six weeks I’ve spoken to every young person from the first program (in 2013),” Andy says.
To be a constant in the lives of kids he helps, Andy has attended 18th and 21st birthdays, and has even busted a move or two at Blue Light discos.
He’s been a calming influence on the life of Lara lad Lachlan Todd, 23, who came to the Kokoda program aged 16 and directionless.
“It was a me-against-the-world type situation. Authority wasn’t something I was interested in following,” Lachlan says.
But structure, such as the 7am wakeups, team building, life exposure and mentoring the program offered turn Lachlan’s life around.
“I didn’t want to go to school but I wanted to go to the program so I followed the rules.”
After the program, Lachlan returned to school, graduated from the police academy and is now a protective services officer.
“He’s been like a second dad to me,” Lachlan, whose dad died in 2013, says of Andy.
Lachlan knows if life gets tough Andy will be there for a chat, and to offer advice.
There are others who view Andy like this because the mentorship he’s offered them at their worst has pushed them to become their best.
Andy says the Kokoda program has made him a better father to Miranda, 25, Jack, 22, and Tom, 19.
“I am more opened minded. I am able to better engage with my kids.”
His advice for fatherly success is: “Use diplomacy … don’t be seen as a dictator.”
Originally published as Andy Brittain supports a generation of Geelong kids via the Geelong Kokoda Youth Program