Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Now I'm very excited because anybody that knows anything about
(00:04):
the Junior Police Rangers you will know that they do
a phenomenal job in terms of teaching leadership skills to
young Territorians, you know, getting them out there. Would I
say survival skills even I reckon. So now joining me
in the studio right now is Joe Hart, who is
indeed well instructor and has been for thirteen years.
Speaker 2 (00:28):
Joe, how are you really good?
Speaker 1 (00:30):
You're really good, So good to see you. And you're
a police officer many years ago when I worked for
the Northern Territory Police as a media advisor.
Speaker 2 (00:38):
Definitely you helped me out of a few spots.
Speaker 1 (00:41):
Back in the day, back in the day. And then
very excited to introduce ameya Jeffers, who is indeed a
well you've graduated as a junior Police ranger and also
now you a cadet.
Speaker 3 (00:56):
I recently graduated in June.
Speaker 4 (00:58):
Oh, good on you.
Speaker 1 (00:59):
Well, it's lovely to have you in the studio as well.
I'm told you're an absolute gun. Now, Joe, tell us
a little bit more about the Police Ranger program and
it's been going for forty years.
Speaker 2 (01:12):
Yeah this year, so we have our anniversary on Saturday,
our forty year anniversary the Junior Police Rangers that were
started in nineteen eighty five by the government of the day,
and what they wanted to do was help the youth
of the day become more responsible. So what the whole
program's not about becoming a police officer of fiery or
(01:33):
anything like that. It's all about self development, leadership and
believing in yourself.
Speaker 1 (01:39):
How good is their excellent skills to have for every
young person in my opinion? Now, may I tell me
a little bit about when you first became a Junior
Police Ranger.
Speaker 3 (01:50):
How old were you? I was twelve years old in
twenty twenty. I think, yeah, it was really good.
Speaker 1 (01:56):
What was it like? You know, what were your expectations
when you were twelve going in and taking part.
Speaker 3 (02:02):
I didn't really know what to expect.
Speaker 4 (02:04):
I didn't know much about the program until Joe came
into our class and I just decided to sign up,
give it a go, and yeah, it was way more
than I expected.
Speaker 3 (02:12):
Tell me a little.
Speaker 1 (02:13):
Bit about some of this stuff that you've learned that
the wonderful Joe and others have taught you.
Speaker 3 (02:18):
Yeah, we learned so much in Jpi.
Speaker 4 (02:20):
It really teaches you how to step out of your
comfort zone and face your fears and challenges. It's really
good for young teenagers to build confidence and just make
a support group and lots of friends.
Speaker 1 (02:30):
Yeah, and different people right to you know, to your
usual friends at school or through your sport or the
arts or whatever. Different, totally different group of people.
Speaker 4 (02:37):
Yeah, definitely, teenagers from all over the NT come to
It's a really good group.
Speaker 1 (02:42):
Now, Joe, what kind of exercises and what kind of
things do they do?
Speaker 2 (02:46):
Okay, So we teach them a lot of life schools
and practical schools. So in the first year they actually
do map and nav training. So that's with old fashioned
way where you have to use a map and a compass. Okay.
We also have an induction where they actually used to
go to Adventure Abound, but unfortunately that's closed now where
they used to just bond team ways. We also do
(03:10):
a survival now it's a real survival camp.
Speaker 1 (03:12):
I've heard about this.
Speaker 4 (03:13):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (03:14):
We actually throw them out in the bush for three
or four nights in five days, and they have to
make their own shelters and snares, and we do give
them twenty liters of ward a day, and that's changed
over the years from before where they used to just
get throwing out. Now Dave Meggett, who's my subject matter expert.
Dave and I go out and we actually teach them
(03:34):
lessons while they're out there and then as well, and
they actually get to do certain skills and once they
do them, we actually give them a reward. So the
groups can be anywhere from six to ten people per group,
so we might give them three oranges or four eggs.
So yeah, they do the survival. We also do a
(03:56):
thing called Purple Rock, which is an absol where we
throw them off a ninety meter cliff. So yeah, it's
lots of skill.
Speaker 3 (04:03):
It is awesome.
Speaker 1 (04:04):
I was telling you both off fair. My god daughter
Stella has done this, and I know that her mum,
Belinda will is also graduated police ranger and canitis and
she from back in the day. But look, I've heard
from them how awesome it is. And I've got to
tell you the first time they told me that that
(04:25):
Stella was going off doing this survival, ameya. I don't
know how your parents felt, but I was like, hang
on a second, you're going out there with not very
much do you know what you need to do to survive?
Speaker 3 (04:36):
What's it like when you first.
Speaker 1 (04:37):
Go out there without you know much besides the skills
that you've been taught.
Speaker 4 (04:43):
I had so much fun and survival. It was definitely
hard at moments, but you really just bond with the
group you're with and learning stuff that most adults don't
even get to learn. And yeah, just marching out afterward.
The accomplishment you feel with your group is just unmatched.
Speaker 1 (04:57):
How awesome. I love that. I love that sense pride
from our young people.
Speaker 2 (05:01):
Hey, and that's what it's all about, getting that sense
of pride, that self relief.
Speaker 1 (05:05):
Help Joe. What's planned for forty years? I mean, are
you celebrating? Is there some kind of anniversary? What's going on?
Speaker 2 (05:14):
Yeah, so we're having an anniversary party out at Goanna Park,
which is just past Crowbery Tavern. Out there. We've got
the JPRS. They're going to do quite a few displays
on how to make rope out of vines, how to
start a fire without matches and stuff like that, signal fires,
and how to filter water, and we're also going to
do a bit of a tour of their survival camps
(05:36):
have actually left them up this year so the parents
can see what they've actually achieved out while even bush.
Speaker 1 (05:42):
Are the parents who are like ushly survived, like surprised afterwards,
I like, hang on a second, how did my kids
survive this?
Speaker 2 (05:50):
We had a meeting with the parents for the first
time this year and we gave them a number of
options and they wanted to keep it how it is. Yes,
so we explained all the problem and what could happen,
what may happen, and all the parents were so supportive
and they turn around said not leave it the way it.
Speaker 1 (06:06):
Is so over the years and I know you've been
there thirteen years, but when you look at, you know,
the last forty years that this program is running, have
you actually had you know, have there been young people, teenagers,
kids that have then gone on to you know, to
achieve some really great things throughout their careers And what
kind of impact do you reckon being part of this
(06:27):
program has had for them.
Speaker 2 (06:29):
It definitely gives them a sense of responsibility and in
a sense that they have to turn up all the time.
We've had we have doctors, we have lawyers, we have
paddle pop ladies, you name it. We have the whole
lot and we have quite a few that are coming
through and joining as police officers and friaries, both as
(06:50):
constable's auxiliaries and the admin staff that come from our
program is phenomenal.
Speaker 1 (06:56):
Yeah, Oh, how wonderful. Can anybody be part of it?
Can anybody join the Junior Police Rangers or where can
they go if they want to find out a bit
more info?
Speaker 2 (07:05):
Yep, So the Junior Police Rangers is open to anyone
from year eight. It's a three year program goes for
three years, so we have them from year eight, nine
and ten. We go out to the schools and we
talk to the schools. But if anybody wants to get
on board, they just go to the police website, go
to young People and then they'll see the Junior Police
Rangers page and a mayor.
Speaker 1 (07:24):
To anybody listening this morning that might be thinking, oh,
I wonder if I should join the program, or if
I should take my children along, what would you say
to them?
Speaker 4 (07:31):
Definitely join. It's such a good program. You get so
many experiences and opportunities out of it, and you make
so many lifelong friends.
Speaker 3 (07:38):
I still talk to on my whole group.
Speaker 1 (07:40):
How good And I just think it's wonderful that it's
been going for forty years in the Northern Territory.
Speaker 2 (07:46):
Yeah. Look, it's not just the program. We do a
lot of community work. Yeah, and we help variety a lot.
And through our community work, we were actually luckily given
the opportunity to go to Kakota. So a group of
thirteen kids have been to Kokoda twice and once because
of concur to us closed so they actually went down
and did the table Lands track in Tasmania.
Speaker 3 (08:05):
How awesome.
Speaker 2 (08:06):
That was all paid by by the company. Sorry, I just.
Speaker 1 (08:14):
Look, what a wonderful experience, What an absolutely wonderful experience.
But you know, I've seen the JPR crew out there
handing out medals at the city to serve. I see
them out there, you know, helping out at different community
events as well, and that's such a wonderful thing to see.
You know, we're talking about teenagers that are out there
doing some really good stuff in the community, which we
(08:36):
just don't talk enough about.
Speaker 2 (08:38):
No, that's right, and they want to It's not that
we're forcing them to do it. They want to do it.
Speaker 1 (08:42):
So yeah, even better. Well, it's lovely to have you
both in the studio this morning. Thank you so much
for joining us.
Speaker 2 (08:49):
Can I just do a quick shout out my committee,
Michelle who's our president, Leah, Lisa, Jackie and Mel thank
you very much for all your efforts for the fortieth
anniversary this weekend. And of course the Sue who is
my co offsider if you want to call it, but
she's a lot more than that. She's a camp mum,
she's everything. Yeah, I forgot to say. It's from twelve
(09:12):
to four on Saturday out of goo Anna Park.
Speaker 1 (09:15):
Lovely to see you both, Thank you so much for
your time. Ameya Jeffers and of course instructor Joe Hart.
Lovely to have you both in the studio. Thank you,
Thanks Katie, thanks so much.
Now I'm very excited because anybody that knows anything about
(00:04):
the Junior Police Rangers you will know that they do
a phenomenal job in terms of teaching leadership skills to
young Territorians, you know, getting them out there. Would I
say survival skills even I reckon. So now joining me
in the studio right now is Joe Hart, who is
indeed well instructor and has been for thirteen years.
Speaker 2 (00:28):
Joe, how are you really good?
Speaker 1 (00:30):
You're really good, So good to see you. And you're
a police officer many years ago when I worked for
the Northern Territory Police as a media advisor.
Speaker 2 (00:38):
Definitely you helped me out of a few spots.
Speaker 1 (00:41):
Back in the day, back in the day. And then
very excited to introduce ameya Jeffers, who is indeed a
well you've graduated as a junior Police ranger and also
now you a cadet.
Speaker 3 (00:56):
I recently graduated in June.
Speaker 4 (00:58):
Oh, good on you.
Speaker 1 (00:59):
Well, it's lovely to have you in the studio as well.
I'm told you're an absolute gun. Now, Joe, tell us
a little bit more about the Police Ranger program and
it's been going for forty years.
Speaker 2 (01:12):
Yeah this year, so we have our anniversary on Saturday,
our forty year anniversary the Junior Police Rangers that were
started in nineteen eighty five by the government of the day,
and what they wanted to do was help the youth
of the day become more responsible. So what the whole
program's not about becoming a police officer of fiery or
(01:33):
anything like that. It's all about self development, leadership and
believing in yourself.
Speaker 1 (01:39):
How good is their excellent skills to have for every
young person in my opinion? Now, may I tell me
a little bit about when you first became a Junior
Police Ranger.
Speaker 3 (01:50):
How old were you? I was twelve years old in
twenty twenty. I think, yeah, it was really good.
Speaker 1 (01:56):
What was it like? You know, what were your expectations
when you were twelve going in and taking part.
Speaker 3 (02:02):
I didn't really know what to expect.
Speaker 4 (02:04):
I didn't know much about the program until Joe came
into our class and I just decided to sign up,
give it a go, and yeah, it was way more
than I expected.
Speaker 3 (02:12):
Tell me a little.
Speaker 1 (02:13):
Bit about some of this stuff that you've learned that
the wonderful Joe and others have taught you.
Speaker 3 (02:18):
Yeah, we learned so much in Jpi.
Speaker 4 (02:20):
It really teaches you how to step out of your
comfort zone and face your fears and challenges. It's really
good for young teenagers to build confidence and just make
a support group and lots of friends.
Speaker 1 (02:30):
Yeah, and different people right to you know, to your
usual friends at school or through your sport or the
arts or whatever. Different, totally different group of people.
Speaker 4 (02:37):
Yeah, definitely, teenagers from all over the NT come to
It's a really good group.
Speaker 1 (02:42):
Now, Joe, what kind of exercises and what kind of
things do they do?
Speaker 2 (02:46):
Okay, So we teach them a lot of life schools
and practical schools. So in the first year they actually
do map and nav training. So that's with old fashioned
way where you have to use a map and a compass. Okay.
We also have an induction where they actually used to
go to Adventure Abound, but unfortunately that's closed now where
they used to just bond team ways. We also do
(03:10):
a survival now it's a real survival camp.
Speaker 1 (03:12):
I've heard about this.
Speaker 4 (03:13):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (03:14):
We actually throw them out in the bush for three
or four nights in five days, and they have to
make their own shelters and snares, and we do give
them twenty liters of ward a day, and that's changed
over the years from before where they used to just
get throwing out. Now Dave Meggett, who's my subject matter expert.
Dave and I go out and we actually teach them
(03:34):
lessons while they're out there and then as well, and
they actually get to do certain skills and once they
do them, we actually give them a reward. So the
groups can be anywhere from six to ten people per group,
so we might give them three oranges or four eggs.
So yeah, they do the survival. We also do a
(03:56):
thing called Purple Rock, which is an absol where we
throw them off a ninety meter cliff. So yeah, it's
lots of skill.
Speaker 3 (04:03):
It is awesome.
Speaker 1 (04:04):
I was telling you both off fair. My god daughter
Stella has done this, and I know that her mum,
Belinda will is also graduated police ranger and canitis and
she from back in the day. But look, I've heard
from them how awesome it is. And I've got to
tell you the first time they told me that that
(04:25):
Stella was going off doing this survival, ameya. I don't
know how your parents felt, but I was like, hang
on a second, you're going out there with not very
much do you know what you need to do to survive?
Speaker 3 (04:36):
What's it like when you first.
Speaker 1 (04:37):
Go out there without you know much besides the skills
that you've been taught.
Speaker 4 (04:43):
I had so much fun and survival. It was definitely
hard at moments, but you really just bond with the
group you're with and learning stuff that most adults don't
even get to learn. And yeah, just marching out afterward.
The accomplishment you feel with your group is just unmatched.
Speaker 1 (04:57):
How awesome. I love that. I love that sense pride
from our young people.
Speaker 2 (05:01):
Hey, and that's what it's all about, getting that sense
of pride, that self relief.
Speaker 1 (05:05):
Help Joe. What's planned for forty years? I mean, are
you celebrating? Is there some kind of anniversary? What's going on?
Speaker 2 (05:14):
Yeah, so we're having an anniversary party out at Goanna Park,
which is just past Crowbery Tavern. Out there. We've got
the JPRS. They're going to do quite a few displays
on how to make rope out of vines, how to
start a fire without matches and stuff like that, signal fires,
and how to filter water, and we're also going to
do a bit of a tour of their survival camps
(05:36):
have actually left them up this year so the parents
can see what they've actually achieved out while even bush.
Speaker 1 (05:42):
Are the parents who are like ushly survived, like surprised afterwards,
I like, hang on a second, how did my kids
survive this?
Speaker 2 (05:50):
We had a meeting with the parents for the first
time this year and we gave them a number of
options and they wanted to keep it how it is. Yes,
so we explained all the problem and what could happen,
what may happen, and all the parents were so supportive
and they turn around said not leave it the way it.
Speaker 1 (06:06):
Is so over the years and I know you've been
there thirteen years, but when you look at, you know,
the last forty years that this program is running, have
you actually had you know, have there been young people, teenagers,
kids that have then gone on to you know, to
achieve some really great things throughout their careers And what
kind of impact do you reckon being part of this
(06:27):
program has had for them.
Speaker 2 (06:29):
It definitely gives them a sense of responsibility and in
a sense that they have to turn up all the time.
We've had we have doctors, we have lawyers, we have
paddle pop ladies, you name it. We have the whole
lot and we have quite a few that are coming
through and joining as police officers and friaries, both as
(06:50):
constable's auxiliaries and the admin staff that come from our
program is phenomenal.
Speaker 1 (06:56):
Yeah, Oh, how wonderful. Can anybody be part of it?
Can anybody join the Junior Police Rangers or where can
they go if they want to find out a bit
more info?
Speaker 2 (07:05):
Yep, So the Junior Police Rangers is open to anyone
from year eight. It's a three year program goes for
three years, so we have them from year eight, nine
and ten. We go out to the schools and we
talk to the schools. But if anybody wants to get
on board, they just go to the police website, go
to young People and then they'll see the Junior Police
Rangers page and a mayor.
Speaker 1 (07:24):
To anybody listening this morning that might be thinking, oh,
I wonder if I should join the program, or if
I should take my children along, what would you say
to them?
Speaker 4 (07:31):
Definitely join. It's such a good program. You get so
many experiences and opportunities out of it, and you make
so many lifelong friends.
Speaker 3 (07:38):
I still talk to on my whole group.
Speaker 1 (07:40):
How good And I just think it's wonderful that it's
been going for forty years in the Northern Territory.
Speaker 2 (07:46):
Yeah. Look, it's not just the program. We do a
lot of community work. Yeah, and we help variety a lot.
And through our community work, we were actually luckily given
the opportunity to go to Kakota. So a group of
thirteen kids have been to Kokoda twice and once because
of concur to us closed so they actually went down
and did the table Lands track in Tasmania.
Speaker 3 (08:05):
How awesome.
Speaker 2 (08:06):
That was all paid by by the company. Sorry, I just.
Speaker 1 (08:14):
Look, what a wonderful experience, What an absolutely wonderful experience.
But you know, I've seen the JPR crew out there
handing out medals at the city to serve. I see
them out there, you know, helping out at different community
events as well, and that's such a wonderful thing to see.
You know, we're talking about teenagers that are out there
doing some really good stuff in the community, which we
(08:36):
just don't talk enough about.
Speaker 2 (08:38):
No, that's right, and they want to It's not that
we're forcing them to do it. They want to do it.
Speaker 1 (08:42):
So yeah, even better. Well, it's lovely to have you
both in the studio this morning. Thank you so much
for joining us.
Speaker 2 (08:49):
Can I just do a quick shout out my committee,
Michelle who's our president, Leah, Lisa, Jackie and Mel thank
you very much for all your efforts for the fortieth
anniversary this weekend. And of course the Sue who is
my co offsider if you want to call it, but
she's a lot more than that. She's a camp mum,
she's everything. Yeah, I forgot to say. It's from twelve
(09:12):
to four on Saturday out of goo Anna Park.
Speaker 1 (09:15):
Lovely to see you both, Thank you so much for
your time. Ameya Jeffers and of course instructor Joe Hart.
Lovely to have you both in the studio. Thank you,
Thanks Katie, thanks so much.
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