Congratulations to School Based Police Officer, Senior Constable Mark Cartner and his two student participants of the Walk of Life program, Dylan Carter and Shontay Henry-Hegarty, who are finalists in the Outdoors Queensland Awards.
Dylan and Shontay are among only four finalists in the running for the K2 Base Camp Emerging Achiever Award – recognising the efforts and achievements of an individual new to the outdoor sector; a student, a young person, or anyone making a change into the sector.
The Walk of Life program has played a pivotal role in empowering vulnerable youths by offering them the opportunity to attain a Certificate II in Outdoor Recreation or a Certificate III in Outdoor Leadership. Through this program, participants not only acquire valuable work-ready skills but also crucial life skills that will serve them well in the future.
Initiated by Senior Constable Cartner in 2015, the program is based on outdoor education principles and teaching students a variety of life skills over a school term. These skills are then put to the test in an expedition, often a multi-day canoe experience or hike covering distances of up to 100 kilometres and lasting from three to five days.
Senior Constable Cartner's unique blend of life skills, policing expertise, indigenous heritage, dedication to child protection and crime prevention, coupled with his current role working closely with secondary students, are all integral components of the Walk of Life program.
The program's success is evident in the remarkable improvements it has brought about, including increased school attendance rates, enhanced student behaviour, and strengthened bonds between students, school-based police, and school staff. Now in its eighth year, the Walk of Life program continues to positively impact students from Kepnock State High School and Bundaberg North State High School.
Senior Constable Cartner's passion for guiding youths toward a better future is evident through his results, but he is quick to commend his students for their achievements.
"Dylan is one of my best students and often acts as a mentor to some of the more at-risk students," he said.
"He came through the PCYC blazers programs and was recommended as an emerging leader by the blazers.
"He has also completed his gold award for the Duke of Edinburgh scheme.
"Dylan now aspires to become a teacher, which I fully endorse and encourage."
"Shontay is a student from Cherbourg, who I met when I cautioned her for an incident, I then invited her into the program and she's never looked back," he said.
"Her attendance went from 23% to 98% this semester and she is one of my best students."
"She's about to graduate from high school with the help of the 8 Queensland Certificate of Education points she gets from the Cert III in Outdoor Leadership, which is part of the program outcomes.
"Shontay is one of the first members of her family to ever graduate from high school, which is a very heartening thing for me."
The winners will be announced at the Outdoors Queensland Awards Dinner on Friday 27 October, at Rydges South Bank Brisbane. Good luck to Dylan and Shontay, and a big thank you to Senior Constable Cartner in your amazing work transforming the lives of youths in Queensland.
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