Kookaburra Kids partnership empowers community services students

The initiative, led by Community Services teacher Deb Stephens and Vocational Placement Coordinator Kathryn Matavalea, was designed to create meaningful vocational pathways for students undertaking the Certificate IV in Child, Youth and Family Intervention (CHC40321).

Working alongside Australian Kookaburra Kids Foundation (AKKF) Community Engagement Coordinator and Program Lead Jacqui D’Castro and Volunteer Coordinator Shaz Pearson, the team co-designed a strengths-based, trauma-informed placement model that immerses students in practical learning at Kookaburra Kids Camps while ensuring child safety and wellbeing remain central.

“This partnership represents the best of industry collaboration. Students apply their learning in real environments under expert supervision, while the foundation benefits from their enthusiasm and emerging skills – it really brings theory to life,” Ms Stephens said.

Student Nathan Woodward said his placement at a Kookaburra Kids Camp was both rewarding and inspiring.

“I had the best experience at my Kookaburra camp at Mungalli Falls in Cairns,” Nathan said.

“It was incredibly rewarding, and I’d be happy to volunteer again. The work AKKF does with children and young people from all different families and circumstances is vital to their development.”

The Australian Kookaburra Kids Foundation delivers evidence-based, early-intervention mental health programs for children and young people aged 8–18 living in families impacted by mental illness - even when no formal diagnosis is in place.

Their Kids Camp programs include Core Kids, which supports young people from families affected by mental illness; and Defence Kids, which supports young people from serving and ex-serving Australian Defence Force (ADF) families who face unique challenges associated with Defence life.

Through these programs, Kookaburra Kids hosts a variety of camps and activity days that blend education, peer connection, and outdoor adventure to help young people build resilience, confidence, and a sense of belonging - while providing TAFE Queensland students with hands-on learning opportunities.

As part of their vocational placement, students attend multiple camps and activity days across Queensland, including in Cairns and Townsville, where they work directly with young participants under AKKF supervision.

Each camp runs for two nights and features outdoor activities such as canoeing, archery, and go-karting, alongside daily Chat Group sessions focused on mental health literacy and positive coping strategies.

Some of the recreational activities that TAFE Queensland students help facilitate include high- and low-ropes courses, abseiling, bushwalking, kayaking, and canoeing.

Students also lead life skills programs designed to enhance each child’s mental health and well-being through fun, safe, and supportive experiences.

Camp locations include:
• Mungalli Falls in Cairns
• Booloumba Creek in Cambroon
• PGL Kindilan Camp in Redland Bay
• Tunnel Ridge Ranch Camp in Landsborough
• APEX Camp on the Sunshine Coast
• Tarmaroo in Blue Water, Townsville

“These camps give our students first-hand experience in youth engagement, teamwork, and wellbeing support,” Ms Stephens said.

“It’s an incredibly enriching environment where students can build professional confidence while making a real difference in the community.”

The program has already produced strong outcomes, including student Gracii Petherick securing full-time employment as a Case Manager in the housing and homeless programs team with Encircle Community Services, supported by references from both TAFE Queensland and Kookaburra Kids.

“That transition from placement to profession perfectly illustrates the power of industry-connected vocational learning,” continued Ms Stephens.

“Through this experience, our students develop job-ready skills and build trusted relationships that help them step directly into meaningful roles.”

TAFE Queensland and AKKF continue to refine the placement model based on student feedback, ensuring it remains safe, educational, and responsive to the needs of both students and industry.

“Partnerships like this help ensure our training remains deeply connected to industry,” Ms Stephens said.

“They prepare our students for the realities of their profession—and, more importantly, remind them why they chose this field in the first place.”

With strong engagement, glowing feedback, and proven employment outcomes, the partnership is already delivering powerful results.

“Transforming learning into community impact and changing lives for both students and the young people they support is a wonderful outcome for everyone involved,” concluded Ms Stephens.