Around 60 to 70 people attended the community meeting in Goonellabah to look at youth crime and intervention on January 23.
‘It went beautifully and there is a very committed and engaged community,’ oragnaiser Bradley Waker from the Magpie Cente community group told The Echo.
‘The Lismore Superintendent of Police attended along with Greens Member of the NSW Legislative Council Sue Higginson representatives from Janelle Saffin’s office and Kevin Hogan’s office and local councillors. We looked at how the Magpie Centre would play a part in the community for our youth. This is all about the community and our youth and findling solutions for our youth,’ he said.
Following the meeting Lismore state MP Ms Saffin Member for Lismore said she welcomed the interest from organisations able to respond to youth to help prevent crime.
‘There are some programs underway locally and I am trying to ensure they all work together through the respective agencies and organisations. I am in this conversation,’ Ms Saffin said.
‘I asked the Magpie Centre, through Bradley and Brad, to provide me with their runs on the board in terms of programs that work or have the potential to work, their governance and community support. These are critical for any organisation seeking public funding,’ she explained.
‘The three Tracks in my electorate – BackTrack Youth Works (Tenterfield), North Tracks Youth Works (Lismore) and RiverTracks (Murwillumbah) – are doing terrific work and I am also backing them in.
‘The Police have been terrific and are, of course, doing enforcement, but also off their own bat, some prevention activity. I want us to feel safe in our homes and the best way is to approach this at multi levels; enforcement, yes, and prevention, yes.’
Lismore Councillor Harper Dalton-Earls went on social media followin the event and said that, ‘The focus of today’s meeting wasn’t just about addressing youth crime – it was about unity, collaboration, and building a brighter future. It was also raised that the council’s youth activity nights at GSAC, which had over 60 attendees at their last session, were unfortunately stopped in November. As a councillor, I’ve raised a councillor request about this see if it can be reinstated. Our young people need spaces to build confidence, community, and have opportunities to engage.’
Youth conference
One outcome of the meeting was to hold a youth conference in June this year.
‘It would be trying to achieve a discussion about ways we can help our youth and our community,’ said Mr Walker.
‘We need to look at why these crimes are happening? Why is it escalating? We need to look at accountability and services that are available and how can we implement them.
‘We have a lot of things that we need to do. People interested in getting involved in solutions can contact me directly on 0477 831 694. We need to look at where it is that we go and act upon what the community wants and needs.’
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