SHAPING UP TO A BETTER FUTURE

Eight months ago, the Rockhampton Boxing and Sports Promotions (RBSP) started a Friday night boxing night at the Mount Morgan School of Arts.

The nights were aimed at providing an activity for Mount Morgan’s Youth.

In the past eight months, the boxing nights have expanded to two nights a week and are now being held in a purpose-fitted room underneath the Soldiers’ Rooms.

During the six months that they have called this home, the room has been outfitted, with thanks to CBACC, Stanwell Power and the Department of Sport and Recreation.

While boxing is at the centre, the program is not just about boxing, but also includes “fit for life” skills, behavioural skills, health and wellbeing (in conjunction with CQ Youth Connect).

RBSP President, Mr Russell Thomas said a Youth Group had been formed from the participants.

“The number varies between 20 and 40 youths. Fluctuations can be attributed to some of the young people leaving town or having per- sonal difficulties,” he said. original and Torres Strait Islander people.

Since the boxing has started, there has been a marked improvement in the behaviour of the participants.

“Their manners have changed, they are accepting responsibility, there is less “bad” language and there is less street wandering happening,” Mr Thomas said.

Mr Thomas said there are other activities planned such as camps for Youth and Development and Team Building.

“The entire group has already been taken away to tournaments in Mackay,” he said.

While the focus is primarily on building life skills and not competitive skills, future events could include competitve events. Other activities on the horizon include discos, touch football and looking at fitness groups for the adults.

“We would like to engage more of the community in the future,” Mr Thomas said.

With the runs already on the board, the activities are certainly shaping up to a better future.

One of the two coordinators, Donna Anderson said the first program was very successful.

“We had about 30 kids in the program, which was great,” she said.

“The kids learn how to make positive choices and respect themselves and each other.

“This program also focussed on drug and alcohol awareness as well as indigenous culture and language,” she said.

In 2023, the program started with the young people learning to eat healthy.

“They had to make something from each of the food groups and after learning to make the food, they get to eat it,” she said.

Donna said this program, like the first Deadly Choices Program was very well received. The program wrapped up on Wednesday, 22 March.

Throughout the entire program, participants have key preventative health messaging introduced and reinforced to ensure they have capacity to make deadly, healthy choices, now and in the future.

Leadership is used as a tool to direct good health and education practices, and throughout each eight-week program, leadership is reflected upon as a cornerstone of healthy lifestyle behaviours, encouraging friends and family to do the same.

Deadly Choices encourage healthy eating

Since the begining of February Mundagutta Youth Group participants have been making some “deadly choices” about Healthy Eating as part of the Deadly Choices Program.

In 2022, the Deadly Choices Pro- gram was introduced at the Green Shed in Thompson Ave, for both indigenous and non-indigenous youth.

Aligned with curriculum learning, Deadly Choices is about promoting health and wellbeing in Ab-