CityRail Youth Safety Outreach
Program
About the program
Everyday in NSW there are either near misses,
injuries or deaths that occur because young people are not aware of the dangers
associated with being on or near railway lines. Sadly, the sometimes horrific
injuries that occur could often have been prevented.
The CityRail Youth Safety Outreach Program helps
young people identify behaviour that is unsafe, assess the risks involved and
devise alternatives to dangerous and at times potentially fatal
behaviour.
In conjunction with Youthsafe we have tailored the
Youthsafe Everyday Program to focus on risk and the consequences of dangerous
risk taking when travelling on or near CityRail property. The program is
delivered by Jonathan Beninca http://www.cityrail.info/schoolgroups/youth.jsp who has first hand experience of injury, having
been hit by a train while trespassing at the age of 19.
Jonathan is available to come and speak to your
school or community group, free of charge.
Each presentation can focus on particular issues that
you are experiencing.
Presentation formats available
1)
Short talk for large audience
A 15-minute presentation targeted at larger audiences
like school assemblies, fairs, or any other event involving large
audiences.
2) Risk taking behaviour (suitable for groups
of up to 30people).
A one hour interactive
presentation. This is one of
Youthsafe's Presenter Program initiatives for young people called
'EVERYDAY'. The session addresses risk and
the consequences of dangerous risk taking. Participants are encouraged to be actively involved and
participate in small group work.
3) Behavioural issues on rail (suitable
for groups of up to 30
people).
A one hour presentation delivered
jointly by Jonathan and a RailCorp
Transit Officer. This session includes not
only areas of safety, but participants are also
made aware of the legal consequences of unacceptable behaviour.
4) Full day session, including train
simulator and role plays
(for groups of up to 16
people – availability limited to
when the facility is not required for training
purposes).
This is a day excursion. Sessions last around three
hours, though including time for lunch and
travel you should allow a total of around
six hours.
The day includes:
• A one hour interactive presentation on risk and
the consequences of dangerous risk taking,
including small group work – a Youthsafe
Presenter Program initiative called
'EVERYDAY'.
• A 50-minute presentation by a RailCorp Transit Officer about their role, powers and
responsibilities. Role plays are
included.
• A 1.5-2 hour presentation at RailCorp Training College at Petersham. The group will be shown animated graphic clips
relating to safety. Then interesting facts
about trains are discussed. Each member will be given the opportunity to "drive a real train" on a train simulator to
realise how long it takes a train to stop.
We use Jonathan as a visual for young adults as for
most his story cuts right through the attitude of invincibility.
All these presentations are free of charge and can be
incorporated into any existing program currently running within your
organisation.
CityRail’s Presenter Profile – Jonathan
Beninca
In 1999, Jonathan Beninca was a healthy 19 year old
who enjoyed all the usual things, sport, socialising and partying. After one
Friday night drinking session he decided to catch a train to another suburb,
thinking the trains had stopped for the night he jumped down on the tracks and
started walking. His life was to change forever. His next recollection was
waking in hospital minus his right arm, leg and several fingers on his left
hand.
Today, Jonathan – who’s miraculously alive and highly
articulate – is a powerful motivational speaker. He talks with young people
about the dangers of trespassing on railway tracks and other related themes,
such as safely using trains and public transport. He impresses young people when
talking about self-esteem and has presented at NSW Youth Forums organised by
RailCorp and the NSW Office of Children and Young people
Contact Jonathan to speak at your organisation:
E-mail: outreach@railcorp.nsw.gov.au
Phone: (02) 8202 3273
Re: Youth / Commun
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