The Fast News - Compiled by Trevor Davies

Redfern Police reaching out           

Police have launched a program designed to steer "at risk" youth within the Redfern Local Area Command away from a potential life of crime.

"The Clean Slate without Prejudice" program, supported by Centrelink and the local Aboriginal men's group, Babana, was launched last month on board the vessel, Tribal Warrior, on Sydney Harbour. The aim of the program is to provide specially selected young people within the Redfern area with an opportunity to alter their behaviour through the involvement of government and non-government agencies and organisations.

The project encompasses a range of strategies including early intervention, developmental crime prevention, positive relationships, support networking and behavioural workshops. 

From a policing perspective, the program is designed to reduce youth crime and identify re-offending behaviours. Police expect the initiative to have immediate and long-term results, with Aboriginal leaders from the Redfern community and officers volunteering their free time to play an active mentoring role with the young people. 

To launch the program, a group of young people was treated to a trip across Sydney Harbour on the Tribal Warrior and an excursion to Luna Park.

Who hasn’t signed one petition?

Petitions are sometimes viewed with cynicism by activists. Do they achieve anything? Do politicians take any notice? The City of Sydney website reports that there were three separate petitions tabled at last month’s Council meeting.

Clover Moore tabled one on the Pyrmont Metro issue (727 signatures and 612 on-line), John McInerney tabled one on the Erskineville supermarket issue (2,451 and 113 on-line) and Shayne Mallard tabled one on the Sugarmill Hotel issue (750 signatures). Then there is the petition on the Rosebery Depot issue, which the Lord Mayor will present at the next Council sitting (1,122 signatures). So perhaps petition signing is worth a try?

The Factory doing good work in Waterloo

Twenty local youth, boys and girls, recently completed a training course in landscaping facilitated by the Factory Community Centre in conjunction with TAFE Outreach and Housing NSW. They were awarded their Certificates at a function held in the recreational area on the Pitt Street frontage of the Solander building in Pitt Street Waterloo, the remodeling of which was their final exam

Source: South Sydney Herald August 2009 www.southsydneyherald.com.au