Rugby league legend Johnathan Thurston will be in town next week for the Isa Street Festival and for workshops in local schools.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
During Rodeo Week Thurston will be in Mount Isa with his JT Academy who will present workshops on cyberbullying to students from Good Shepherd Catholic College, Spinifex State College Junior and Residential campuses, and the Mount Isa Flexible Learning Centre.
The JT Academy is a national academy focused on placing our nation's youth onto the path of success providing employment initiatives and training programs.
Mount Isa Mayor Joyce McCulloch said Council facilitated Thurston's visit saying it was taking a stand with a unique program in which JT Academy would share valuable lessons with local students.
"We're all aware of cyberbullying and the devastating effects, but are we actually doing enough to prevent it and educate our youth?" Cr McCulloch said.
"It is even more important in a remote city such as Mount Isa that we talk about these issues so we can increase awareness of appropriate actions that this community can take and the support available, particularly for parents."
The workshops will focus on self-confidence, courage, self-belief, wellbeing and mental health with anti-bullying and anti-cyberbullying messages and will feature videos with JT, linking his personal experiences to the messages delivered by his JT Academy team members.
JT will also attend the Community Zone of the Isa Street Festival on August 7 between 5pm and 6pm, and between 7pm and 8pm, for photo opportunities with the public and will travel in the Street Parade.
The Community Zone will also feature stalls by Young People Ahead, Gidgee Healing, and Headspace as well as free jumping castles and inflatable slides.
JT fans are encouraged to enter the competition to win a signed State of Origin JT jersey, which is currently available through Council's Facebook competition, with the winner drawn on the morning of the festival and contacted in advance, to ensure they will be at the festival that night to receive the jersey from JT.
READ ALSO: Council water notices set to change
While you are here subscribe to our weekly email to your inbox at 6am every Friday
Derek Barry
Editor of the North West Star Mount Isa since January 2016. Prior to that, an editor at several regional southern Queensland newspapers. Passionate about telling local stories. Comes with a strange accent to due an Irish accident of birth.
Editor of the North West Star Mount Isa since January 2016. Prior to that, an editor at several regional southern Queensland newspapers. Passionate about telling local stories. Comes with a strange accent to due an Irish accident of birth.
