Charlotte's Story

This story is about a girl who enrolled at U-turn.

In our initial intake of students we began work with Charlotte. From her life experiences she had a reputation for self defence - the boys respected her physical powers and stood clear! Charlotte remained in the programme eighteen months and delivered a beautiful tribute to U-turn at her graduation.

She has made W.A.T.C.H. part of her ongoing tumultuous life. Charlotte has now returned to Gympie and has taken up studies again. She is wishing to complete year twelve and has been improving herself by doing a TAFE course in the hospitality field. She has called in to see us and renewed her relationship with U-turn.

Ruth's Story

This story is about a girl who enrolled at U-turn.

Perhaps the most withdrawn girl we have ever received to the U-turn programme is Ruth. She sat in the corner not speaking for the first day and only gradually entered the group over the ensuring weeks as her trust grew. Ruth is very creative but would only draw dragons, so we had her oversee the construction of the U-turn group banner for the end of year graduation with a dragon as a centre piece. Thus her confidence grew.

Ruth who is extremely talented has had one of her cartoons published in the Gympie Times newspaper. She is also attending a youth group attached to the Cooloola Shire Council Community Development Unit. They are assisting her to become better known as an artist and are promoting her art work.

Rachel's Story

This story is about a girl who enrolled at U-turn.

Rachel came to us a confirmed truant. She quickly adopted the W.A.T.C.H. principles.

"This week my friends wanted me to wag school". I thought, and then said "No I won't and you shouldn't either". She has also kept contact with U-turn. Rachel is keen to work in the hospitality industry. She held a job involving shift work with the local pie company and during the school holiday period is hoping to gain a traineeship in this field.

Honey's Story

This story is about a girl who enrolled at U-turn.

An indigenous girl Honey came to us over a longer period. Self directed she integrated

U-turn with the school by coming each week and then not attending until she - "needed to come to the ladies and get W.A.T.C.H. back again". Since completion of the programme, Honey calls in to see us on a regular basis. Honey is staying at school to seek a placement as a teacher of indigenous children.

All names in these stories have been changed to protect the participants and comply with the Privacy Act.