Tuesday Gym Sessions — Building Consistency

Every Tuesday we're at the PCYC in Mount Isa. It started small — maybe five kids showing up. Now we consistently get 15 to 20.

The sessions aren't just about lifting weights or running laps. We start with a yarn. How was your week? What's going on at school? Anyone got anything they need to talk about? Then we train.

Consistency is the key. These kids have had so many people come and go in their lives. Programs start and then disappear. Workers come for six months and leave. So when we keep showing up, week after week, that builds trust.

One young fella — he was getting into trouble every week. Fighting at school, not going home. His mum was at her wit's end. She brought him to us and said 'Just try.' That was eight weeks ago. He hasn't been in trouble since. He's there every Tuesday, first one through the door.

It's not magic. It's just showing up. Being consistent. Giving them something to look forward to. A lot of these kids don't have that.

We're looking at expanding to a second night — maybe Thursdays. The demand is there. We just need the funding to keep the PCYC booking and cover equipment costs. The Kickstarter grant from BHP helps but it's tight.