A former Geelong policeman working with at-risk teenagers is among six “local heroes” vying for a $10,000 grant for their organisation this month.
Andy Brittain began working with troubled youths after a serious assault in the line of duty left him with career-limiting arm injuries in 2003.
“I had to look for a new direction,” the Wandana Heights father-of-three explained.
At first working with young people had not been on his “radar”, he said.
But he soon came to love his new role.
“I got to engage with young people and use a skillset I didn’t even know I had,” he said.
In 2013 Andy introduced a police program for young people to walk the Kokoda Trail to Geelong.
But COVID-19 diverted police resources, limiting his ability to engage with young people.
So, after 33 years in the force, Andy left last September to establish Geelong Youth Engagement with Robert Costa, the younger brother of late local business icon Frank.
With Papua New Guinea of limits amid the pandemic, Andy and several police officers are now preparing to lead a group of 40 teens on a camel safari and trek across the Flinders Rangers in South Australia in coming weeks.
The group plans to cover more than 150 kilometres in a week with 11 camels in tow.
“It will be very exciting and completely new to us,” Andy said.
The other local nominees are Feed Me Bellarine’s Anthony Woodbury, Fight Cancer Foundation’s Barb Speldewinde, Peace of Mind Foundation’s Bronwyn Haskell, OneCare Geelong’s Claire Faulmann and Eat Up’s Jennifer Chiu.
“They are all very worthy nominees,” Andy said.
Public voting for the nationwide competition is open until August 30 at westfield.com.au/local-heroes.
Luke Voogt
