A new partnership between Gippsland Regional Aquatic Centre (GRAC) and Blue Light Victoria is giving young people in Latrobe the chance to connect with mentors and take positive steps for their future.
Many will remember Blue Light for its famous discos of the 1980s and 90s. While those dance floors are now part of local history, Blue Light Victoria has evolved into a statewide charity delivering programs that help young people build resilience and community connection. These programs are no longer run by police, but police and emergency service members continue to volunteer as mentors, helping to strengthen trust and understanding.
The free eight-week program pairs participants with a personal trainer and a mentor from Victoria Police or emergency services. Alongside fitness training, young people are encouraged to think about their choices, set goals, and connect with their community.
Blue Light Victoria Program Manager Rosy Jolic said the idea came from a successful program in Bendigo aimed at young people beginning to disengage from school or come to the attention of police.
Police in Bendigo started running boxing sessions to help steer young people in a positive direction. It quickly grew into a structured program with great community backing and real results. Young people staying in school, finding work, and building healthier relationships.
Funded through a Commonwealth Attorney-General’s Department crime prevention grant, the Latrobe program is already underway at GRAC. After the first eight weeks, participants can continue with drop-in fitness sessions to maintain momentum.
YMCA Victoria’s Community Programs Officer at GRAC, Tess Poole, said the partnership shows how GRAC can be a place for positive change in young people’s lives.
“We want young people to feel welcome here. To know this is a safe place where people believe in them,” Tess said. “It starts with fitness, but it’s really about confidence, trust, and belonging.”
Previous participants are seeing the benefits. One young person said,
“I’ve really getting fit. Everyone here is nice, and I love talking to them about my day.”
A youth worker involved in the sessions added, “It’s been a great connection to the community and a chance for young people to build relationships and have an outlet away from other challenges.”
Rosy said working with the YMCA team made it easy to get the program off the ground.
The team at GRAC understood the value straight away and were open to making it happen. The facilities are first-class, and that makes a real difference for young people who might not usually have access to this kind of space.
“The team at GRAC understood the value straight away and were open to making it happen,” she said. “The facilities are first-class, and that makes a real difference for young people who might not usually have access to this kind of space.”
Referrals can come from schools, community agencies, or parents, with no cost to participants. For more information or to get involved, contact Blue Light Victoria or Gippsland Regional Aquatic Centre.