Her quote sprang to mind again this week, one in which tragedy in various global forms flooded the media; but, as we exited a function hosted by the new CEO of PCYC, Dominic Teakle, that included the fast accumulating plans and direction for its new facility on the site of the South Wagga Bowling Club, there was a positive feeling this was about to change, locally at least, for the better. More so than before in our city's history and that of the Wagga PCYC, the sort of community foresight, leadership and direction that prompted a partnership by NSW Police Commissioner William Mackay and Sydney Rotary Club in 1937 to start the PCYC movement is required again.

It is significant that Rotary International has always held fostering of youth among its highest ideals; it was Wagga Rotary Club that financed and drove the establishment of Borambola Sports and Recreation Centre.                                          

Mackay, in 1936, returned from a trip to Britain, with a brief to review the methods of combating crime, especially youth crime. In Norwich he found a police boys club that gave young people an opportunity to overcome some of the disabilities of their tough environment and, in the US, he saw what the Police Athletic League was doing "to provide suitable places where young people could be brought up, meet, play sport and get a chance in life to prevent them from becoming street corner loafers".

On Mackay's return he approached Rotary which responded whole heartedly, including funding.

It is this police and community partnership that Teakle, who came recently to PCYC from 20 years military service and then commercial experience in government events and sports organisations, sees as helping to bring the $15 million new Wagga complex to fruition.

Lester Stump, PCYC’s general manager of properties, said Wagga was a "for real" project; consent had been given to demolish the site; a development application lodged and 2017 was seen as bringing all the necessary aspects together.

Daryl Maguire MP, a solid PCYC supporter, spoke about the historical significance of the community partnership, hoping that those involved in the construction of the original club in the city, would be recognised.

Architect John Whittingham took community representatives through a virtual reality tour of the project, noting the provision of adjunct facilities for operators such as Headspace.

The architect's public survey showed 80 per cent said the new project was essential to the city. The site, despite some doubts by this column was, according to the survey, highly favoured because of its centrality.

Another example of success encouraging youth in our city took place this week at the Clontarf Foundation's Mt Austin High School academy's awards presentation which, again, Rotary supports.

The foundation exists to improve the education, discipline, life skills and employment prospects of young Aboriginal men to play a meaningful part in society.

There are now more than 4700 young men being helped in academies at 80 schools across the nation. Whilst AFL and NRL ability is the vehicle it uses to develop other skills, just to meet and chat with these youngsters during the last few years at our Wagga RC meetings has been a delight and a clear sign the program is working.