We welcomed two special guests at the meeting. They were First Constables Ryan King and Hayley Cameron who are both stationed at Werribee. Ryan, whose father is a Rotarian in Geelong, expressed his thanks for our efforts in supporting the local soccer game between VicPol and the South Sudanese community in April. We cooked sausages for the large crowd. He said it was a tremendously successful day and helped to create a better relationship and deeper respect between the two groups.
Ryan also explained that his role is one of only two in Victoria. He is not part of normal operations. Instead, he is the sole permanent member of the experimental Westgate Proactive Policing Unit which covers the Wyndham, Hobsons Bay and Brimbank areas. He is charged with the responsibility of keeping in touch with, and helping to control, young people in the community aged between 10 and 18 who are no longer part of the main stream of society. In other words, they either have a police record or have been a victim of violence and abuse in their own family. Most of these youngsters are now resident in homes run by the Department of Human Services. It is Ryan's job to visit them and interact with them to ensure that they are not having any problems. He said he has had to deal with some very tough and sad situations which relate mainly to crime, drugs and bad behaviour. But he believes he is making a positive difference.
Ryan was keen to learn more about some of our youth programs. As such, he is planning to return to the club next week to sit in with the Youth Committee meeting.