Operation Gives Shepparton Youth a New Start

Victoria Police and Save the Children Australia launched the first regional branch of Operation Newstart today in Shepparton.

The program, which is aimed at students aged 14-17 years of age who are at risk of dropping out of school and offending, has had great success in metropolitan Melbourne.

Senior Constable Ross Fifoot of Shepparton Police and Kristy Sewell of Save the Children Australia are the local co-ordinators, with Senior Constable Fifoot believing the city was an excellent choice for the program.

“Shepparton is over represented with regards to the youth crime rate and with early disengagement of youth from schools,” Senior Constable Fifoot said.

Peter Falvey, Program Manager Australia for Save the Children Australia said he welcomed the opportunity to expand the program into Shepparton. 

“Save the Children Australia has been delivering successful programs around Shepparton since 1965 when our kindergarten was established in neighbouring Mooroopna. By entering into a program such as Operation Newstart, we are able to continue to deliver additional long-term programs that will benefit the youth in the area,” he said.

Mr. Falvey was also on hand at the launch to hand over the keys of a much-needed new mini-bus to the co-ordinators of Operation Newstart.  The bus was kindly donated by supporters of Save the Children Australia.

Operation Newstart caters for eight students per term – two from each of the high schools in the Greater Shepparton area – with participants spending each Monday at their respective school then attending the program from Tuesday to Friday.

An extensive array of activities is...

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