The guest speaker for the meeting was John Dalton. John is a Police Officer who has been part of a committee of management which has overseen the rejuvenation of the Blue Light Disco. The Blue Light Disco has set up a facility in Allingham Street, Kangaroo Flat and provides for a much wider range of activities for youth than the traditional disco. With input for young people, activities now include boxing, skateboarding, rock climbing, basketball, fitness activities and in some cases individual programs where a need and commitment are in evidence.

 

The Allingham Street complex is providing a safe place for young people to meet and build relationships with caring adults especially the Police. The program seems to attract young people in the year six to year nine age group. John is especially passionate about the role of the police in crime prevention and not just law enforcement. He has observed the benefits his colleagues gain in having the opportunity to have a change from the intense and often disturbing work they are involved with.

 

John acknowledged that the program is not effective in all cases however he was able to share with members a number of cases where the engagement of youth in all or some activities has changed attitudes and built capacity. Most young people reaching out to the Blue Light Disco lack confidence, have disengaged with school and have the potential to fall into crime. John shared a number of examples where young people have transformed their thinking which has led to improved school attendance and in some cases meaningful employment. 

 

Members identified a number of ways in which the initiatives of the Club complement John's work. In the first instance the Club's expertise in catering could be utilised at youth gatherings. This would also serve as a source of positive interaction with the Community. RecLink and Youth Services especially the involvement with Lightning Reef are other possibilities. We congratulate John on his passion and leadership of an initiative which is making a very positive impact on the lives of many young people and we thank him for his thought provoking presentation.