It was April 1990 and the then City of Elizabeth (now Playford), a suburb to the north of Adelaide in South Australia, was brimming with young people. The forward thinking Elizabeth Council set up the "Recreation/Sport & Youth Team with a brief to harness the leadership qualities of this amazing natural human resource.
It was a time of amazing deeds and inspiring leadership . . . . .
Lance Jones, council's Recreation/Sport & Youth Team Leader knew only one way to do this, and that was to
"GO WILD!"
"GO WILD!" was based on the simple "youthworkers mantra" that had somehow been forgotten. In the early days, Lance would write it in every report, speak on it at every council meeting and spruik it at every publicity event he could:
"Our kids don't need therapy - they just need something to do""
From that simple war cry erupted one of the most awarded youth and recreation programmes in the country's history.
The eagerness and natural enthusiasm of the citizens of the fair City of Elizabeth was harnessed. Phil Dunn, Social Entreprenuer and perpetual volunteer came on board to form the pro-forma "steering committee" and handle the "boring meetings". Keith Law, Social Worker and all-round "Mr Nice Guy" came on board to keep the team's promise of "equity in access" a reality. Pam and Rodney Miles entered the fray from the get-go as the essential "parent volunteers". Ruth Russell made sure kids with disabilities got a good look-in. Pauline Frost was the elected council member who risked it all for the sake of the kids. Mark Auricht (RIP) ran the first rock climbing session at Morialta Gorge. From this core group, a phenomena was created.
Click through these archive pages to pay homage to the people who changed the future - the "GO WILD!" Leaders!