Townsville 3rd Brigade soldiers work to support troubled teens in Proud Warrior youth program

EXCLUSIVE: Townsville soldiers are on a mission to keep the city’s troubled teens off the streets and out of mischief with an Army program approved as a permanent fixture in the city’s arsenal to target at-risk youths.

• Teachers West Rugby Union Club targeted by criminals in another low act
• MP Dale Last opens up about kids inside CYDC after mentoring at centre for years
• Townsville’s state leaders outline federal budget wishlist

TOWNSVILLE’S soldiers are on a mission to keep the city’s troubled teens off the streets and out of mischief.

Led by the 2nd Cavalry Regiment at Lavarack Barracks, the Proud Warrior project aims to positively influence at-risk youth, remove children from bad influences and improve their future prospects.

Officer-in-command of the program Major Matthew Daniell said teenagers participated in army-style activities alongside soldiers from the 3rd Brigade, focusing on physical and mental health, leadership and teamwork to teach children how to make good decisions even when things were “against them”.

Seventy-five children participated in the trial program, which ran over five months from late October to March this year.

Soldiers from Townsville's 2nd Cavalry Regiment lead a Proud Warrior session at Lavarack Barracks. The project works to positively influence at-risk youth, remove children from bad influences and improve their future prospects through Army-based activities. Photo: Supplied

Defence reported a 71 per cent repeat attendance rate for participants after their first session.

The Bulletin can reveal after a successful trial period Proud Warrior will become a permanent fixture in Townsville’s arsenal to target children repeatedly engaged with the criminal justice system. A Defence spokesman said positive attendance rates and notable behavioural changes, including some participants quitting smoking and seeking employment opportunities, contributed to the project becoming permanent.

“Feedback provided from Queensland Police Service reported a significant decrease in the youth crime rate within historically troubled areas, with the station chief from the Kirwan Police Station requesting his area of responsibility be a target of recruitment due to the positive effect (the program) had within the community,” the spokesman said.

Proud Warrior mentor 3rd Combat Engineer Regiment Corporal Samantha Nicholson said volunteering her time gave her and other soldiers a sense of achievement.

“Seeing the smiles on their faces really brings a lot of joy to the soldiers who are volunteering their own time, giving back to the youth and making sure they are safe and not doing the wrong thing,” she said.

“Seeing these kids achieve something in life, even if it’s just one of our participation T-shirts, makes me proud that I’m making a difference to them.” Proud Warrior participants are referred to the program through the Townsville Stronger Communities Action Group.

“Together, TSCAG and 3rd Brigade personnel co-ordinate the pick-up, attendance and involvement of participants,” the spokesman said.

“This provides additional touch points for social workers and co-youth responders with the participants and their families, further developing positive relationships.

The program is funded by the 3rd Brigade, with each session costing about $125 to run.

Originally published as Townsville 3rd Brigade soldiers work to support troubled teens in Proud Warrior youth program