With only a few weeks left until the first SU QLD Games, it’s time to get excited!

In just over two years, your support for SU QLD’s Sports Ministry has helped unite communities and bring families and work colleagues together, while encouraging young and old alike to engage in competitive sports in a God-honouring way.

Until now, this has been achieved through the half-day Community Cup events, all of which have been completely booked out.  BUT this year, the team are stepping things up with the first SU QLD Games, which will kick off on 30 June at Nudgee College.

(more…)

With one in five boys finding school disengaging, there is a real need for support in the schoolyard as they transition from adolescence into manhood.

Thanks to your support, Chappy Lindsay at Aspley State School has developed a ‘Mini Men’s Shed’ to help Year 3 to Year 6 boys develop confidence and self-awareness, while also acquiring key life skills. (more…)

The end of the year brings warmer weather, free time and cause for celebration. It also has the potential to bring temptation and overindulgence for young people.

SU QLD supporter, Tyson Stelzer, who is also a multi-award winning writer, television presenter and author of ‘A Parent’s Guide to Teen Alcohol and Parties’ – recently shared with us his tips for parents on how to safely embrace your child’s inner desire to party.

“For young people, parties are an important part of growing up. But teenage fun can quickly turn ugly when alcohol is on the scene,” says Tyson. (more…)

For boys to develop into safe, honest men, it’s crucial they build healthy levels of self-esteem and discipline through their developmental years.

Thanks to your support, Chappy Dave Larkin was there to facilitate the Awesome Wilson Boxing (AWB) program to help disadvantaged boys pick themselves up, dust themselves off and develop key character traits.

(more…)

As you may recall from our Christmas Appeal last year, 17-year old Rheannan from Bundaberg was supported by her Chappy through flooding rains, her sister’s cancer diagnosis and her family’s financial strain.

As if that wasn’t enough, late last year Rheannan was diagnosed with a chiari malformation, a condition where brain tissue extends into the spinal canal. As a result, she suffered through severe headaches and dizzy spells. Over time her symptoms continued to deteriorate. (more…)

Your support continues to ignite a lifelong passion for God’s word among thousands of young people across Queensland.

From the beach missions of the 1860s on the cold, overcast shores of Wales to today’s Surf Camps along Queensland’s tropical coastline, the mission of bringing the Good News to children and young people continues – thanks to you.

For 20-year old Brisbane local, Campbell Walker, an invitation to an SU QLD Surf Camp in 2012 transformed him from a self-professed ‘Sunday Christian’, who kept his faith a secret, to a young man who is no longer ashamed and helping others to feel the same.

“Growing up I didn’t mind going to church, but it was more something I did to tick off my list of things to do and to make mum and dad happy,” Campbell says. (more…)

It’s a heart-breaking scene watching your child cling desperately to you on their first day of school.

For many children, this soon passes as you transition from being their safe harbour to their transportation provider.

But for some children, like Ruby from Brisbane’s western suburbs, the struggle lasts longer.

In fact, it was something that she struggled with through to Year 5. (more…)

How long is the road from boyhood to manhood?

According to 13 Year 8 boys from Cooktown, it’s a highly challenging 222 kilometres.

While the boys may not officially be men yet, each of them has gained new life skills and a heightened sense of responsibility after completing local school chaplain Dave Kamholtz’ ‘Journey to Manhood’ mountain biking challenge.

“This has been an epic trip. Each day was a genuine challenge, but the boys’ persistence and commitment was deeply rewarded with memories and character development that will last a lifetime,” says Chappy Dave.

Local adventurer and businessman Ray Wright and a dedicated team of volunteer dads and grandfathers from the local community joined with Chappy Dave and the 13 boys to navigate the ‘treacherous’ Wakooka trail in Far North Queensland. (more…)

At just three years of age a healthy, happy Jamil suffered a grand mal seizure and was rushed to hospital. Six months later, he was diagnosed with epilepsy.

After Jamil started school, he would be further diagnosed with a range of complex learning disorders.

The news hit Jamil’s parents Frank and Veronica hard, particularly as they watched their son struggle with basic reading and writing.

Despite the multiple diagnoses, Jamil has been blessed with a loving family and a charming personality, which has helped him settle in and make friends at school.

While glad that his son had school friends, Frank’s prayer was for his son to find Christian friends too, particularly after hearing Jamil use some eyebrow-raising language at home.
(more…)

When faced with violent threats from Prep student, Jacob*, Chappy Janelle and her fellow school staff chose to respond with love and kindness. Four years later, Jacob is now serving others.

“[Jacob] came to my school when he was starting Prep… When we were on playground duty with him, he would say stuff like, ‘I’m going to get a big knife and stab you. I’m going to kill you.’… The teacher’s aides and I would just give him a positive response back, and try to make him feel good about himself,” explains Janelle.

(more…)