Sergeant Stephen Armstrong-Ravula took home the Champion of Change Award at the recent QPS First Nations Peoples and Community award ceremony.
Aurukun’s Sergeant Stephen Armstrong-Ravula received the Champion of Change Award at the inaugural Queensland Police Service (QPS) First Nations Peoples and Communities Award ceremony in Cairns.
The award recognised those in the community who have made positive contributions towards outcomes for First Nations Peoples and Communities.
“At the heart of these awards, lies the spirit of collaboration and dedication to enhance the safety, wellbeing and improve policing outcomes for First Nations peoples and communities across Queensland,” QPS Commissioner Katarina Carroll said.
Sergeant Armstrong-Ravula was awarded for his work with the QPS and his commitment to providing services for First Nations Peoples through the Aurukun PCYC.
“Sometimes young people, due to peer pressure or lack of alternatives, can start going down the wrong path and they’re actually waiting for an opportunity to do something different,” she said.
He said that providing pathways to keep young people on the right track was a vital part of what the PCYC does.
“When you actually give them the opportunity, most of them are really willing to take it because they’ve been waiting for something like this,” he said.
He said that the QPS and the PCYC had similar values that helped community members to get involved, gain-self confidence and find opportunities for growth and development.
“We are involved with the whole community and we understand the values and skills young people possess and we’ve been very successful in connecting the children with those skills,” he said.
He explained that everything he is able to do in the community is a team effort.
“We can’t do this without Mayor, Council, local police, staff at the PCYC which includes my wife Norma who is a youth support worker and our daughter Helena, who is a volunteer at the PCYC, the community and of course the kids,” he said.
