ISSUE 10 inBRONCOS the community

BEYOND THE BRONCOS RETURNS NEW CHARITY PARTNERS BRONCOS AID BUSHFIRE RELIEF CHARITY PARTNERS

Twelve charities have been chosen as official partners of the in 2020 in an initiative that raises tens of thousands of dollars for their worthy causes.

ACT FOR KIDS Charity Partners get access to a Provides free therapy and support range of benefits through the year, services to children and families who including: have experienced or are at risk of child abuse and neglect. ♦ Partnership in 50-50 raffles at Broncos’ home games AUNTIES AND UNCLES QUEENSLAND ♦ The ability to raise awareness for Offers vulnerable and socially isolated their organisation at their nominated children in Queensland opportunities Broncos’ home game to shape their future and reach their potential by pairing them with ♦ Access to financial assistance volunteer ‘Aunties & Uncles’ to provide through the Brisbane Broncos’ support and care. Charities Fund

CAMP QUALITY QUEENSLAND ♦ NRL player appearances and site Provides innovative programs and visits to help promote their events services to develop life skills and strengthen the wellbeing of children ♦ Access to tickets and merchandise aged 0-13 growing up with cancer, and to assist in their fund-raising efforts their families.

FOODBANK QUEENSLAND Provides food to anyone experiencing food insecurity via Queensland charities.

MEN OF LEAGUE Provides a wide range of wellbeing support and referrals to those within the community who are in genuine need and are unable to overcome that need within their own resources.

2 BRONCOS IN THE COMMUNITY MND AND ME FOUNDATION Supports people and their families living with Motor Neurone Disease (MND) in Queensland.

PCYC QUEENSLAND Gets young people active in life; develops their skills, character, leadership; and prevents and reduces crime by and against young people.

RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE CHARITIES SOUTH EAST QUEENSLAND An independent, not-for-profit organisation dedicated to providing vital programs for families with seriously ill children.

RURAL LIFESTYLE OPTIONS AUSTRALIA Enriches the lives of people with a disability by creating choice, opportunities and skills for life.

THE SUNLIGHT CENTRE Supports people and local communities during times of crisis of suicide ideation and self-harm through face-to-face counselling, support and professional services free of charge.

WESLEY MISSION QUEENSLAND Provides a range of community programs, including food and shelter for the homeless, crisis relief for families, support for young parents and youth at risk, employment for those living with a disability and care for the elderly.

YOUNGCARE Creates choice and independence for young people (aged 18 – 65) with high-care needs.

BRONCOS IN THE COMMUNITY 3 FOODBANK BUSHFIRE APPEAL

Broncos HQ was put the callout to Brisbane transformed into a locals to donate urgently needed Foodbank Queensland items such as water, tinned food and collection point in January hygiene items which would be directly as the community came delivered to those who need it most. together to support those affected by bushfires in Broncos players , Rhys NSW and the ACT. Kennedy and Keenan Palasia were on hand at Foodbank’s Morningside warehouse to drop off a huge amount of donations received at the Clive Berghofer Centre during the week.

The players then stayed on to help sort through mountains of donations which had come in during the bushfire appeal.

4 BRONCOS IN THE COMMUNITY , originally from the south coast of NSW, was happy to be Great to be able to able to lend a helping hand as he has help out here. I’ve had family and friends who reside near a bit of guilt not being the bushfire affected areas. able to help out those Foodbank Queensland will continue back home due to roads to assist their regular charities who being closed but this are already helping marginalised is a great opportunity communities and people who are to give back at doing it tough. foodbank and get Thank you to our members, fans and our hands dirty community members who donated towards this appeal, it was a fantastic RHYS KENNEDY result for all involved and will assist so Brisbane Broncos Forward many people in need.

BRONCOS IN THE COMMUNITY 5 GILLETT EMBRACES PCYC

Matt Gillett joined students from Hamilton State School to officially launch PCYC Queensland’s embRACE day, a 2.5km obstacle course aimed to get kids outside and active.

The race will take place on PCYC Queensland are part of the Sunday, 21 June at the Bill Broncos Charity Partner Program Norris Oval and will see a for 2020 which provides support to combination of obstacles Queensland charities whose values and fun activities to challenge are aligned with those of the participants throughout Brisbane Broncos. the course. The Broncos Charity Partner Program Gillett joined the students in is in its 14th year and has seen some warmup exercises before a fantastic array of Queensland chatting to the kids about the charities supported over the years, importance of keeping active with 12 charities taking part in the and healthy. program each year.

PLAYERS SPREAD CHRISTMAS CHEER , and Ali Brigginshaw, complete with festive hats, made a special visit to the Queensland Children’s Hospital to The Broncos stars were on spread some Christmas cheer. hand to visit some families who are doing it tough over the Christmas period, and hand out some Broncos goodies while they were there.

The players visited many different wards and families, making conversation, and signing Broncos merchandise for the kids to make sure it was an experience they would never forget.

The players loved the opportunity to talk to the young patients and their families, letting them know that we are thinking of them.

6 BRONCOS IN THE COMMUNITY BEYOND THE BRONCOS CLASS OF 2019

In November the Brisbane Broncos celebrated the achievements of the 2019 graduates of the Beyond the Broncos program.

Students, Support Officers, Teachers and family gathered to congratulate the participants’ hard work and dedication and reflect on their achievements throughout their time in the program. Tara Pinsker from the National The ceremony was the culmination Indigenous Australians Agency spoke of years of hard work and dedication on behalf of Minister Ken Wyatt and to school attendance and academic congratulated the students on their performance by the students and achievements and for becoming role the mentoring and guidance of the models for future students. Broncos Student Support Officers who are based out in their schools. Brisbane Broncos forward and NRLW premiership Students travelled to the Clive winning player Amber Pilley also spoke Berghofer Centre to join program about what leadership means to ambassadors Scott Prince, Justin them and how they juggle their busy Hodges and Ali Brigginshaw in working and studying schedules with celebrating the milestone. a professional football career.

Bianca Loose, a graduating student from Woodcrest State College delivered the valedictorian speech and reflected on her time at school and the impact the program had on her over the years.

BRONCOS IN THE COMMUNITY 7 BRONCOS AND ACT FOR KIDS TO FIGHT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

The Brisbane Broncos Act for Kids calls on all Queenslanders have teamed up with child to “make your home game your A protection service Act for Kids, game”, and has released a series urging Queenslanders to take of online videos featuring Brisbane a stand against rising rates of Broncos’ , Matt Gillett, domestic and family violence. and Scott Prince, and NRLW captain Ali Brigginshaw.

Act for Kids CEO Dr Neil Carrington said during times of pandemics, natural disasters and social hardships, the rates of domestic violence escalate.

“Since COVID-19 restrictions began, Act for Kids’ Family and Child Connect they are raising service has seen an increase in vital awareness cases of domestic violence, and have reported that more children for domestic are witnessing severe emotional, violence and psychological and physical abuse in we strongly their homes. “Without support, this support their can have serious, long-term impacts message that on their development and mental there is no room wellbeing,” he said. for domestic violence at home, The partnership won praise from or anywhere Queensland’s Minister for Child Safety, Youth and Women and Minister for SCOTT PRINCE the Prevention of Domestic and Family Broncos Ambassador Violence, Di Farmer MP.

8 BRONCOS IN THE COMMUNITY BRONCOS BUILDING BRIGHTER FUTURES

The Broncos Building Brighter Futures Project provides a hospitality training program for young Queenslanders.

The Broncos Building Brighter Futures Of a special note was Beyond is a Queensland Government Skilling the Broncos Alumni Jaymie Queenslanders for Work – Get Set Lynch. After completing her for Work project and is at no cost for hospitality training Jaymie eligible participants (pictured below) secured a position with Brisbane City YHA. Students receive their training at the Clive Berghofer Centre as well as We will offer another two gaining hands on training at a number hospitality training courses of local venues, including the Broncos early in 2020. Leagues Club, Pullman Hotel and the Emporium Hotel.

Participants also went on to complete work experience with the O’Brien Group Australia at the Gabba Test Match, working in Corporate Suites and the Media Buffet Room.

All participants successfully attained their Certificate II in Hospitality.

BRONCOS IN THE COMMUNITY 9 DOWN SYNDROME QUEENSLAND TAKE INSPIRATION

The Brisbane Broncos received The Australian Down Syndrome some special visitors to an Swimming team are currently in open training session recently training for the 2nd World Trisome when members of the Down Games in Turkey, where they will Syndrome Swimming Australia compete against other competitors team stopped by to watch from around the world in the the team train. swimming championships.

The athletes watched the players train and then got the chance to meet and mingle, making sure they got a photo with each player and having a chat to them about sport.

The visit proved a great motivation for the athletes, with heightened motivation in their training session post the meet & greet. Everyone enjoyed observing the diligence, determination and supportive spirit of the Broncos players and we wish each athlete the very best when they head to Turkey. Good luck!

10 BRONCOS IN THE COMMUNITY BACK TO SCHOOL FOR 2020

School is back for 2020 and so is the Beyond the Broncos program.

The Brisbane Broncos proudly The Girls Academy program is in launched the Beyond the Broncos its fifth year of providing mentoring Girls Academy program in two support, encouragement and new schools in 2020. motivation for students to achieve maximum school attendance, effort Woodridge and Park ridge State High and behaviour to complete year 12. Schools are the newest additions to the program, and Scott Prince and This is delivered through a range of Matt Gillett were on hand to help in-school and off-campus activities kick things off. that support the students to stay in school, complete their senior studies The addition of these two schools and transition into further education brings the total to 34 schools across or employment. QLD and NSW, and more than 1,600 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Matt Gillett made a surprise visit to girls, being supported by the Girls the new program participants at Academy program. Park ridge State High School, interacting with students during a The Beyond the Broncos Mentoring series of ice breaker activities. and Girls Academy programs, which are funded by the Federal Government, aim to improve school attendance rates and year 12 attainment rates for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students.

Broncos Student Support Officers work directly within schools and communities to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander girls to achieve their full potential, from Years 7 – 12 and into young adulthood.

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