Hart of the matter
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TODD Hartley woke up one day and had a dream that he could make a change. -
But he probably didn’t dream that 12 years after becoming a founding director of a Far Northern company to help disadvantaged youth, he would be crowned Cairns’ Citizen of the Year in 2009.
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Taking a step back in time to South Africa in the mid-1990s, Mr Hartley says he wanted to give youth a choice to right their wrongs.
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He had already learnt the ropes himself and had been around the traps. By his mid-20s he had done heavyweight boxing in the United Kingdom and played American football in the United States for the Australian team.
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"I saw the result of communities that were run with no money, no infrastructure and no leadership"” he says.
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After receiving his wake-up call, Mr Hartley knew what he had to do.
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Unhappy with crime prevention programs, he called one of Cape Town’s top cops and created a hugely successful program that was later endorsed by the country’s crime squad.
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"I saw if we don’t look after the disadvantaged and we don’t look after people’s hardship then crime, unruly behaviour and criminal activity is an accepted way of life."
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Now step forward in time.
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In 2009, Choice Australia Management has received more than $17.5 million in government funding to deliver 200 programs and activities, directly employed 850 people, helped employ nearly 4000 people and addressed around 30,000 school students about opportunities in life.
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Offices operate in Cairns, Innisfail and Townsville and also trade in the Cape and the Gulf.
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Staff help disadvantaged youth, while also supplying programs for early school-leavers, mature-aged people needing employment guidance and people with disabilities. -
Wanting to help the community even further, Mr Hartley’s not-for-profit organisation launched the Choice Water line in March 2007 as well as opening Ballerz Cafe.
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"There is only so much money – for every 1000 people we work with, there are probably 10,000 people out there that need help," Mr Hartley says.
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But even after changing the lives of thousands of people, Mr Hartley still believes the streets of Cairns are worse than they were 10 years ago.
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Crime, drugs and violence are not going away.
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Mr Hartley says the gap with youth problems is widening but says the most effective form of crime prevention is through positive engagement and participation, rather than scare tactics.
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Daily interaction with youth to help them overcome their problems is a must, he says.
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Youth need help with training, employment, arts, sport and recreation and need to know their potential before making the right life choices.
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His organisation works with training partners Tropical North Queensland TAFE and etrainu and has also created partnerships with the Department of Employment and Industrial Relations, Department of Communities, Department of Housing, Department of Child Safety, Department of Public Works, Federal Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations, Mission Australia and Northern Skills Alliance.
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"I think the youth of today have a lot of problems," Mr Hartley says. "We’re dealing with a different generation and we have to think differently. They’re in a generation where they are probably confused and there are so many options.
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"We need to work smarter and as a tourist-based centre, people do need to be safe.
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"Collectively the youth of today are going to be the leaders of tomorrow and by ignoring (them), we are ignoring our own future."
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Facing further tough economic times, Mr Hartley believes the next crisis affecting youth will be created by the downturn in the jobs sector.
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Unemployment in the Far North was 10,300 in December 2008, up from 7000 in December 2007.
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"Families are going to be put under all sorts of pressure"” Mr Hartley says. "The fallout will be that the skilled person will take the jobs from under-skilled people.
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"Under-skilled people will be pushed further down the queue."
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His goals for the next decade to help disadvantaged youth are wide-ranging but Mr Hartley believes most problems can be overcome if the Far North community is aware and focused on making a change.
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"We need to provide outreach services for crime prevention, employment, homelessness, child safety, increase numeracy and literacy and (address) childhood obesity," he says.
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Helping the youth of today might not seem easy, but Mr Hartley believes providing a stable environment with positive support will be the first step in overcoming a never-ending list of youth issues.
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As Citizen of the Year, he says the biggest issue needing to be addressed in the community is acceptance and awareness that youth need to be given an option to make positive changes to their lives.
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"Ultimately people are born with good in their hearts," he says.
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"Not a lot of people understand how simple it is.
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"But the question is – does the man on the street understand how really simple how it can be?"
- The Cairns Post
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Recognition for service
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WORKING class hero Todd Hartley – who has dedicated the past 10 years to bettering the lives of others – has been named 2009 Cairns Region Citizen of the Year. -
The founding director and driving force behind Choice Australia Management was given the top gong before a packed Cairns Civic Theatre, gathered for the Australia Day awards and citizenship ceremony.
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“I don’t know whether it means when I’m walking down the street I’ve got to smile at everybody,” he joked later. “I think what it does say is I haven’t changed who I am in 12 years to achieve where I’m at.
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“I’m still a big, bald guy. I’ve still got big earrings. I’ve still got a lot of tattoos and I still live the life that I want to, so I think the view is if you want to achieve something in this country, if you think about it and carefully plan it, and believe in it enough, it can come to fruition.”
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Mr Hartley, 39, said the love and care of his own mother had enabled him to help others. The former footballer and heavyweight boxer said it was while travelling in South Africa, where he developed a crime prevention strategy for Cape Town, that he realised his potential to make a difference.
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Mayor Val Schier said Choice had focused on educating young people “in how to make healthy life choices…whether it is to say no to drugs or yes to getting a traineeship or a job or, yes to exercise and staying healthy”. She said Mr Hartley had been instrumental in attracting major state funding for training and jobs for young people and launched economic enterprises such as Ballerz Café and Choice Water.
- The Cairns Sun
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Todd is city's top choice
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TODD Hartley has devoted his life to the region’s youth, but Cairns’ Citizen of the Year says his greatest achievement is not changing who he is as a person. In front of a packed crowd yesterday, the former footballer and founder of Choice Australia received the award during Australia Day celebrations at Cairns Civic Theatre.
Running the not-for-profit organisation for more than 10 years, Mr Hartley has helped struggling youth with employment and training, and found placements for 54 workers affected by Cyclone Larry.
He has also launched Bala’s Cafe and Choice Water to help raise money.
"When you believe in something, you are prepared to push past the challenges and understand that sooner or later your investments will bear some fruit and you will start to see some light at the end of the tunnel," Mr Hartley said.
"I haven’t changed who I am. I haven’t compromised my values or my appearance.
"I’m still a big bald guy with earrings and tattoos."
- The Cairns Post
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Life after Larry: Local jobseekers rebuild Innisfail communiy with $1.14million in grants
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Sixty local jobseekers from the Innisfail area will make a multi-pronged attack in dealing with the continuing aftermath of Cyclone Larry resulting in new work skills and paid employment.Acting Minister for Employment and Industrial Relations Desley Boyle and Member for Mulgrave Warren Pitt said Choice Management Ltd received $1,042,160 from the Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative to deliver paid employment placement opportunities to 54 workers impacted by the cyclone.
Ms Boyle said there were four legs to the Choice project to support the Innisfail community.
"The Growing from Larry project will see 12 participants preparing various plant species for re-vegetation to distribute to community groups requiring plants as well as working with the Johnstone Shire Council to re-vegetate affected areas," Ms Boyle said.
"Another project - Building from Larry - will have participants building a variety of timber products such as mobile planter boxes, mobile storage boxes and outdoor furniture including picnic tables, chairs and park benches for distribution to childcare centres, aged care facilities, schools and community groups.
"Twelve participants in the Working with others from Larry project will be placed with local community based organisations to gain experience in office administration while offering human resource assistance and support to these not-for-profit organisations," Ms Boyle said.
"And the final project - Living after Larry - will involve participants in organising and coordinating sporting, cultural and community events and activities in the Innisfail area including basketball games, a community arts competition, and a skating expo," he said.
Choice Management's Business Manager Neville Appleby said the skills on offer will range from germinating, propagating and re-planting to basic carpentry and construction skills to developing links with media, sponsors and community stakeholders.
"The diversity of these paid work placements means participants will have a choice as to which skills they would like to cultivate for their future careers." The Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative together with its predecessor the Breaking the Unemployment Cycle initiative have helped create more than 122,000 jobs for Queenslanders since 1998.
Skilling Queenslanders for Work is part of the State Government's $1 billion Queensland Skills Plan which aims to provide individuals and industry with the skills and workforce for the 21st Century.
- The Honourable John Mickel
Minister for State Development, Employment and Industrial Relations
Funding to help reduce youth crime in the Far North
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A Far North Queensland organisation will receive $225,000 in Queensland Government funding to continue its efforts to reduce youth crime.
Communities Minister and Member for Mulgrave Warren Pitt said Choice Management would receive $75,000 a year for three years to operate the CHOICES for the Future Program in Innisfail. Mr Pitt said the program aimed to reduce youth crime through the personal development of young people aged 10 to 17 years who were at risk of offending or re-offending.
"Program participants are involved in a range of activities to increase their self-esteem, confidence and respect for themselves and others," he said.
"The program also teaches them life skills with a focus on future employment, training and education opportunities."
Mr Pitt said the Department of Communities' Far North Queensland Youth Justice Service often referred clients to the CHOICES for the Future Program, with positive results achieved as a result of these interventions.
"The program addresses a wide range of issues including substance abuse, anger management, impulse control and victim empathy," Mr Pitt said.
"I am pleased that this program will now continue for another three years, helping young people in Far North Queensland who are at risk of offending or re-offending, and guiding them towards a more positive path in life.”
-The Honourable Warren Pitt
Minister for Communities, Disability Services, Seniors and Youth
Testimonies from individuals who have experienced support from Choice or have worked alongside Choice.
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"Choice helped me a lot on the way to reaching my dream of becoming a professional basketball player in Europe. Their staff helped me network with agents and coaches on the other side of the world, as well as supplying the facilities to put together my player profile including DVD footage.
Working in the caring, group environment at the Choice, Cairns office gave me to confidence and motivation to work toward my dreams and believe that everything is possible."
-Nathan Selsby
Kingston Wildcats, England Basketball League 2005/06
“I have been responsible for maintaining the in kind support for Choice through Southern Cross TEN since late 2003, taking over and continuing our support of the initiative we have been involved with since 1997. In that time I have been privy to the advances in the method in which the message has been made available to those in need. The web page in particular has come on in leaps and bounds and is very user friendly and provides great information to people who need assistance and guidance. We are proud to be involved with Choice and hope that the television support we offer in some ways helps grow the awareness of Choice as a community service.”
-Mark Wollin
Senior Account Executive, Southern Cross Ten Queensland
“Through my dealings with Choice, I have found the organisation to be committed to their charter of working with people experiencing hardship, disadvantaged or less fortunate than others.
I am impressed with their innovative strategies to encourage self learning and individual responsibility.
Their foresight to develop meaningful and beneficial partnerships with government, private enterprise and corporate Australia highlights their leadership in the area of social justice and community development.
We are proud and excited to be involved with Choice as they build better communities.”
-Steve Corradi
Sales Manager, Macquarie Radio Works
“I started with Choice in March 2002. Having been unemployed for over five years I came to Choice to participate on a federally funded "Work for the Dole" program.
I didn't really talk to people in general for a couple of weeks, until my supervisor placed me in charge of the "Golf Day". This gave me lots of confidence in using the telephone to gain sponsorship and prizes for the event. I now volunteer my time with Choice and have learnt a wide range of skills to help enable me to find a job.”
-Tony. T. Ryan
(As of 01 April 2006 Tony has been in full time employment since July 2003)
“I started out as a "Work for the Dole" participant in April 2002. At first I was quite shy and didn't talk to many people, until my supervisor put me in charge of organising the "Game of Life" event. This comprised of making phone calls to gain event sponsorship.
After my time ended, I became a volunteer for Choice in an administrative role. Through the help and guidance of my supervisor, I became more confident in using the telephone and interacting with others.
Choice prompted me to commence further studies whereby I completed Certificate 2 in Business Administration. After being associated with Choice, I now have the courage to conquer everything life has to throw my way.”
-Emily. J. Benham
(As of 01 April 2006 Emily has been in full time employment since July 2003)
“In my dealings with Choice I have found that they have a real empathy towards disadvantaged groups such as long term unemployed, at risk youth, parents re-entering the workforce and indigenous. They are interested in achieving the best possible outcome rather than just paying lip service.”
-Paul Carney
Manager - Community Work Coordinator, Success Employment & Training
“I've worked with participants of the Choice program at my Kart Hire Track whereby the group arranged 600 guests to compete in a major go karting event. The 40 program participants encouraged 40 teams to compete in the 9 hour event.
I found the organisation and the participants to be an extremely positive influence on young people and the business that participated. I was so impressed with some of them I gave them opportunities to purse employment with me.”
-Murray Young
Cairns - Kart Hire Track
“I've seen the difference Choice has made in giving people self-confidence, pride and practical skills.”
-Desley Boyle MP
Member for Cairns
“Having been unemployed for many years after suffering a breakdown, I came to Choice in 2003 as a Get Set for Work participant. At this stage I had no self confidence, no idea what I wanted to do or any recent experience.
After a few weeks, Choice Townsville provided me with the direction in which I felt that I could make a difference. I gained my confidence back and with Tammy and Col's help and understanding I gained more experience and knowledge then I ever thought possible.
I have been a volunteer and paid staff member with Choice Townsville since February 2004. As far as my future with Choice in Townsville... ...you never know.”
-Kristy Peace
“My first association with Choice was through a Work for the Dole scheme thorough Choice Community Education, in the beginning of 2002. I quickly upgraded from Work for the Dole to CJP participant in the same year. After it's conclusion, I remained in touch with Col and Tammy as I went through a number of part time and casual jobs, and became included with 2005's Community Breakfast project. I continue to work for Choice, and aspire to greater association in the future.”
-Allan Battersby
“Newcastle Police & Community Youth Club have worked with the Choice team in recent years and have enjoyed a mutually beneficial partnership in delivering significant benefits to local communities. Choice are a professional and friendly organisation who go about business in with a minimum of fuss.
Cheers!”
-Craig Richards
Club Manager, PCYC Newcastle
“Hi T.A,
I was just reading over my new contract and found myself unable to contain my pride and excitement at the opportunities your organisation has provided me. As I have said on numerous occasions ‘Working with Choice is not just a job for me, it is the way I think, the way in which I live my life’. I have battled relentlessly during my life for someone to not only, offer me the chance to demonstrate my capabilities, but to acknowledge my capablities. Todd, I not only thank you and your amazing vision which is Choice. I thank you for believing in me.
Thanks,”
-Alana Wright
Choice Management
