Youth crime has been a regular talking point for the residents of Goonellabah since early 2024. Over 250 concerned residents turned up for a youth crime meeting in March that year organised by local resident Andre Els.

Nearly twelve months later, youth crime is still an issue in Goonellabah and another community meeting is being held at the Lismore Workers Sports Club in Goonellabah tonight (Thursday, January 23) from at 5.30pm.

Another large and enthusiastic group is expected to attend a Magpie Centre Community Meeting to discuss ways of addressing the youth crime rate in Goonellabah from a preventive and rehabilitative perspective.

When asked how he got the idea for a Magpie Centre, Bradley Walker, Community Leader and CEO of the Magpie Centre Indigenous Corporation, said I thought of a magpie which is black and white and represents indigenous as well as non-indigenous kids.

“Growing up in the area, I recalled the original Magpie Centre in Goonellabah from my somewhat “misspent youth” in the late 1990s and early 2000s, and I have longed to recreate what my memory of that was - a place where Aunties and Uncles made us toasted sandwiches, oversaw our homework, took us skateboarding, camping and playing games, gave us a hug or mentored us in values for good clean living.

“I have been looking at other successful programs in the area, since I don’t believe in reinventing the wheel. That’s why we have amongst our guest speakers Mark Robertson - One Vision Productions’ Founding Director, who has worked with disengaged and at-risk youth for more than 16 years.

Working alongside a host of high-profile Program Ambassadors such as Chris Hemsworth and Baker Boy, Mark created “MPOWER”, which is a comprehensive online toolkit for addressing mental health issues, including the well-known 'MPOWER Interactive App'.

“We also have Blake Little, Program facilitator with Community Corrections - servicing Lismore, Casino and Ballina, also has links to Namabunda Farm at Alstonville, which is a place for Indigenous and non-Indigenous youth to learn life skills through volunteering, research, community planting days, and engagement workshops as well obtaining their chain saw or forklift licence.”

“Acting Inspector Brendan Shailes, who is Officer in Charge of Lismore Police, will give us an update on crime in the Goonellabah area.”

“After recent discussions with local community members who are at the forefront of addressing local youth crime, I am thinking the Magpie Centre might be well placed to become a hub for identifying all the local resources, services and organisations already addressing youth needs in the Northern Rivers. We could then help troubled kids and those who have had time in juvi (juvenile detention centre), who attend our regular barbecues, to connect with appropriate supporting services. But I am keen to hear what people think at the meeting.”

When asked why she got involved, Event Coordinator Deb Gerada said: “Bradley’s enthusiasm was contagious, and the volunteers who have stepped up to help me for Thursday’s meeting are absolutely amazing! Since I am a Goonellabah resident, the idea of addressing youth crime from a preventive perspective really appealed to me, and I couldn’t help but get involved! “

"I believe if the Magpie Centre does something small and achievable, we will gain community trust and credibility and can go on to achieve bigger things!"

Brad Alfred, Director and Treasurer of the Magpie Centre said, “We have really appreciated some seed funding from Josh Seague from CDAT (Community Drug Action Teams), which has made the meeting possible, as well funding some barbecues that are already gaining interest from local youth.

"We have also received small but helpful contributions from local member Janelle Saffin and Shar Goodwin from Aboriginal Affairs for some of the meeting expenses. Of course, we will need to access more funding in the future, and I feel this is entirely doable when we have some runs on the board.”

Anyone who would like more information about the Magpie Centre is welcome to contact Bradley Walker on 0477 831 694 or walkerhealing83@gmail.com.

The meeting is open to every Goonellabah resident.

The meeting starts at 5:30pm at the Lismore Workers Sports Club, 202 Oliver Avenue, Goonellabah tonight (Thursday, January 23).

Check out the Facebook event page https://www.facebook.com/share/1ECnMgwokU/.

The meeting will also be live streamed via this link: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61563153908303.