PROTECTING OUR YOUTH

Our first guest speaker was James Smith who is a warden with the Victorian Maori Wardens. This is a volunteer not-for-profit group that operates in Wyndham.

They patrol the streets, buses, trains and shopping centres and engage with youth, particularly those with a Maori background. They wear a uniform but do not act as security guards or police. They simply offer a helping hand and words of wisdom to kids on the street before they get into trouble and end up incarcerated.

This is a very successful program and is supported by the local police.