Kyabram Blue Light
Blue Light Victoria (including its branches) provide programs designed to engage young people. They include Blue Light discos, Blue Light Camp, Blue EDGE program and other activities that target specific risk factors. While each activity has its individual aims, objectives and desired outcomes, all of them aim to engage young people with their local police and community.
Located in the Campaspe Shire, Kyabram Blue Light runs various activities for students in prep through to year 12. Currently Kyabram Blue Light have the KyFit program, Blue Light discos, excursions, annual Mud Run team and an annual leadership camp.
KyFit
Developed by First Constable Mitchell Bull, with the ongoing support of the Kyabram Blue Light and a partnership with Kyabram P-12 College, Campaspe Youth Partnerships, CCLEN and the Alcohol & Drug Foundation, and Blue Light Victoria.
KyFit runs a one hour long session, each Thursday from 4pm to 5pm run by a trainer from the local community. Every session consists of an hour of intense physical activity at a variety of locations including local gyms, pools, parks and schools.
The program has been widely popular with an ever growing waitlist of young people wanting to join. Each week the program is supervised by local police officers and trainers enabling participants to engage on an informal basis before or after the program. This gives participants the opportunity to seek advice or guidance on a variety of topics from general health questions to homework, family, school or social issues.
There are 30 participants each week coming together with local police and a variety of guest mentors and trainers including current and ex serving Australian Defence Force Members, Shire of Campaspe Staff, local sporting personalities, coaches, fire fighters and paramedics.
Participants love being part of the program and are always eager for each session to take place, even turning up early and staying back to assist in the pack up and set up of the program.
Feedback from both participants and their parents/guardians has been nothing but positive from day one. Each terms surveys have indicated that over 90% of participants are self-identifying as having increased fitness, coordination, self-esteem, confidence and accountability. Other key areas that are commonly identified by participants are increased awareness about their bodies, better understanding of healthy eating and sense of responsibility.
Parents/guardians responses have echoed exactly what the participants identify about themselves!
The boys came home boasting how great tonight’s session was. They thought it was awesome to learn drill they use in the army
Mother of two male (12 & 13) participant’s
So much harder than a PT session, in a good way
14 year old male
Kyabram Disco
Blue Light Discos are an opportunity for local police members and community member to work collaboratively together to host a fun enjoyable experience for young people in a safe environment.
Through participation at a Blue Light Disco, young people are able to enjoy a social evening with friends, have the physical benefits of dance and movement, and enjoy a positive experience interacting with local police and volunteers. This increases their trust in authority and widens their support networks.
The Blue Light Discos offer an early intervention and prevention model. This offers a positive experience and furthers understanding of the role of police members in the community. Each event calls upon the hands of local volunteers to enhance community and partnerships, openness and understanding. Ongoing benefits include reduced crime within the neighbourhood through increased civic responsibility.
In addition to music, movement and socialising, local police members also facilitate a variety of games, competitions and team-building activities which invite further engagement and social interaction. Kyabram Blue Light run 6 events throughout each year.
Excursions/Camps
Kyabram Blue Light runs an annual excursion and leadership camp for young people in the community.
In 2019 a trip to Melbourne VS Hawthorn at the MCG was the highlight for many young people. Being able to sit on the boundary line of the MCG for a block buster match on a Sunday afternoon is an opportunity that does not come around often. Presented with the opportunity to speak to the match day umpires, pass the game ball around before the match, get some players signatures, speak to the Hawthorn team trainers, meet the mascots for photos and then get some of the prized MCG grass as a souvenir topped off a fantastic day out for everyone! Unfortunately, the 2020 AFL trip was cancelled due to the COVID pandemic.
In January 2021 Kyabram Blue Light are anticipating to run their inaugural Leadership Camp. The Camp brings together local police and volunteers with 50+ year 5/6/7/8 students from various local schools for an action packed 3 day, 2 night camp focusing on challenging everyone, and having some adrenaline pumping fun!
Mud Run
Each year Kyabram Blue Light enter a team in the Shepparton Mad Cow Mud Run held in February.
The 2020 team consisted of 19 young people from 5 different schools, 2 Kyabram Police Officers, a local teacher and Fire Fighter. The team arrived bright and early before the February heat hit. Everyone painted their white shirts with the Kyabram Blue Light Team name and set off on the grueling 9km course riddled with obstacle’s, mud, water, heights and confined spaces, pushing participants to their limits both physically and mentally.
All the participants from the youngest 11 year old, to the 17 year old and the older police officers and teachers came together as a team to assist each other overcome fears of heights, confined spaces and challenging obstacles that all required speed, body strength and teamwork to overcome and complete.
2.5 hours later the 9km race was complete and the team crossed the finish line together as one. Greeted by friend’s parents, guardians, siblings and extended family awaiting our arrival cheering and screaming at the first sight of the team, who no longer had white tops or a spec of skin that was not caked in mud.
Plans are already underway for the new 2021 course and the Kyabram Blue Light team can’t wait!
