Eddy ready to rescue youth

By Lia Bichel
EDDY MacDonald will continue to help troubled youth turn their lives around this year.
And no one is better suited for the job than he.
At the age of 14, Eddy was homeless.
He slept in boat yards or near restaurants because that’s where he could find food.
He braved the cold nights, befriended gangs, and was no stranger to violent attacks. A scar of a stab wound on his arm is a reminder of his troubled past.
His life then was a far cry from his life now.
Region 5 Crime Prevention Officer Senior Constable MacDonald dedicates much of his time to helping disengaged youth turn their lives around and become mentors to others in similar situations.
Young teens and adults from Cardinia, Casey and Greater Dandenong participate in a range of activities spearheaded by Sen Const MacDonald, who stepped into the role of Crime Prevention Officer in January last year.
The programs feed off his four philosophies for life.
“I believe you need to have a sense of humour about everything, you have to have access to role models, you need fitness to combat stress, and need to recognise your cultural identity,” he said.
Participants can choose to take part in a variety of programs.
During each program, Sen Const MacDonald said they acknowledged the land they were on to provide youth with a sense of acceptance and belonging.
Backyard Rugby is among one of the most popular programs for disengaged youth.
The youngest player is a seven-year-old girl, and the oldest is a 60-year-old man.
Youth have also become part of South Pacific Dance groups, or the POLYneziANZ dance group.
“The youth in the programs liked the name and came up with their own words for the T-shirt: Making a Difference,” Sen Const MacDonald said.
Youth have also joined forces to raise money for bushfire victims and have donated sporting equipment to young children.
“It’s about getting kids who suffered their own tragedies in life to help other kids who have suffered tragedies in theirs,” he said.
Since the programs began, Sen Const MacDonald said he noticed a dramatic drop in youth crime in the area and has been ‘blown away’ by its success, but added he would not take credit for it.
“These are programs for young people, by young people,” Sen Const MacDonald said.
“It’s about working with disadvantaged youth and turning them into role models. We want to empower them and let them give back to the community.”
Sen Const Macdonald also said community support was vital in making such programs a success.
As well as working with youth, Sen Const MacDonald’s other duties involve offering advice about crime prevention to community groups, home owners and businesses. Anyone wanting to contact Sen Const MacDonald can do so on his mobile: 0408303066.