Deadly Daughters
In a heartwarming display of community collaboration, Community College Gippsland (CCG) took a significant step towards fostering positive relations between local proactive policing and indigenous girls through their recent ‘Deadly Daughters’ program event. This Victoria Police and Anglicare initiative was hosted at the CCG Smith Street campus in Warragul on Monday 16 October. Participants got involved in an interactive beauty workshop aimed at empowering the girls under the mentorship of proactive policing officers.
The Deadly Daughters program was established in June 2023, with the goal of creating a safe and supportive space for young Aboriginal girls. It provides opportunities for them to engage in a variety of activities while learning valuable life skills and developing connections.
Since its inception, the program has grown, with approximately 12 young participants attending weekly sessions and have been exposed to a diverse range of activities, including woodwork, painting, and basketball. Importantly, the girls actively contribute to the program’s direction, providing input into the types of activities they want to engage in.
The beauty workshop was a particularly exciting endeavour, as the girls had no prior knowledge or experience in beauty. CCG trainer, Michaela Nixon shared her experience working with the participants of the Deadly Daughters program, noting that the girls were “high energy” and enjoyed their day getting pampered and pampering their peers.
Proactive policing officers Paula Fowler and Warren Briggs shared their observations on the impact of the program, emphasising how it has transformed the perception of law enforcement within the community. “The girls and families are seeing police through a different lens, appreciating what we do to engage, include, and encourage them to be involved,” stated the officers. “These young people are now displaying more respect towards the police and the community.’
The Deadly Daughters program’s success is not only measured by the new skills these young girls are acquiring but also by the strengthening of community bonds and the changing perceptions of Police. The initiative serves as a heartwarming example of how collaboration between community organisations, educational institutions, and the police can create a more inclusive and supportive environment for at-risk youth.
As the Deadly Daughters program continues to grow and thrive, it demonstrates the positive impact that such initiatives can have in empowering young people and fostering a sense of belonging and respect for both the police and the community they serve.