Innovative “ropes” program transforms young lives
The Rotary Club of Alexandra and their guests last week were introduced to the Ropes training program. Leading Senior Constable Jane Marks explained that the Ropes training program involves you people at risk who have been involved with the court system. It began for young people that have been part of the Seymour Magistrate's court system undertaking a program using a high Ropes course at Bacchus Marsh to take them right to the end of their comfort zone and over a day of focused training with specialist trainers the participants get a chance to commit to changing their lives. The program has been proven to be highly effective in changing the young people's lives in the most positive of ways. Jane's challenge is that the program was limited to one area. Recently, with a lot of help from her sponsors, the first Ropes Training Program was held at Chrystal Creek Camp that has the most fantastic and very challenging high ropes course. The first cause included young people who were involved with the Mansfield magistrate's court, young people from the eastern part of the Murrindindi Shire. The results so far have exceeded all expectations. Jane explained that the Ropes program has also been extended and with the help of secondary college students at Yea and the cooperation of thelocal community young people will have their own gathering place. Blue light Discos for primary school students are back in Yea and will extend to Alexandra early in 2017. Jane fielded a deluge of questions and the meeting chairman Maurie Pawsey brought the presentation to a close thanking Jane for her presentation and congratulated her on her success. From the response from the audience it is clear that Jane has a lot of support for her program.
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