Kids, cops and kayaks enjoying the sunshine at Collarenebri last week.

WALGETT’Ss innovative Giyaali program kicked off last week with 15 youngsters camping and canoeing near Collarenebri.
As well as a fun, cultural camp the excursion marked the beginnings of a new relationship between police and children in Walgett.
The children, six police officers, four teachers and Aboriginal education assistants, Walgett elders and Ricky Walford, first grade player with St George, spent over three hours kayaking and swimming in the river.
“Then Ricky and the elders spoke to the kids about the importance of family, respect for elders and the need to do well at school,” a police spokesman said.
The afternoon was spent fishing and playing cricket, but when it came time to set up the camp the storms had arrived.
Tents blew down and quite a few campers spent a wet and uncomfortable night, he said.
Spirits revived next morning after a “huge fry-up - bacon, eggs, sausages, the works - before we decided we’d had enough adventure and came home.”
Giyaali teams children-at-risk with high-performing students, and adult role models and focuses on the positive aspects of Aboriginal culture and family values, according to Superintendent Stan Single of the Castlereagh Command.
“We are in partnership with the school to identify and work with kids-
at-risk and high-performing kids,” he said.
“We want to let them know there are indigenous people succeeding in every walk of life - that they can choose to succeed and we will be there for them.”
The best part of the Giyaali program was that rewarded the high achievers as well as opening a pathway for children needing help, according to Supt Single.
“Too many kids-at-risk strategies don’t reward the kids who are doing the right thing,” he said.
“Police will be making a contract with the kids in the program, and if they meet the target  then we will be taking them on a trip to Sydney in three months time.
“The high achieving kids come along for the ride.”
The Sydney excursion will involve a trip to Australia’s Wonderland, the beach, movies, and even the Navy has got in on the act, Supt Single said.
The Defence Forces have got behind the Giyaali program.
On this trip youngsters will be the guests of Navy’s Chief Petty Officer, Bill McBride for a trip around the harbour and to learn that Aboriginal people are excelling everywhere.