John Alexander (Bennelong, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Last week the electorate of Bennelong celebrated the 20 birthday of the Epping Youth Development Group, otherwise known as the Shack, which provides a warm, welcoming and safe environment, free of drugs and alcohol, for teenagers to interact and enjoy social and recreational activities. The aim of the Shack is to help young people to regain control of their lives. This may involve crisis intervention, counselling services and guidance to apply for jobs. As the only youth drop-in centre in the East­wood Local Area Command, the Shack has developed strong links with the Eastwood police, providing officers with the ability to refer many young people to counselling services rather than pushing them into the criminal justice system. I recognise the efforts of Senior-Constable Debbie Chrystal, Inspector Duncan Eddington, Superintendent Peter Marcon and, of course, Darlene Keenan, who set up the Shack 20 years ago.

The manager of the Shack, Jacqui Pettit, is an inspiration, along with her one full-time helper, Vanessa Sokalik. In the last 12 months the Shack has provided more than 800 hours of counselling for 385 people, 111 hours of court support to 44 people, 422 hours of home visits, involving 127 people, and many other sundry services. I was fortunate to visit Jacqui and Vanessa at the Shack a couple of weeks ago and ackn­owledge the very important role they play in the Bennelong community. I congratulate the Shack on their 20th birthday and commend their work to the House. (Time expired)