JOHNATHAN Thurston, or ‘JT’ as he is well known to Queenslanders, has achieved almost every accolade the game of NRL can provide. His “Immortal” status in the National Rugby League Hall of Fame should be a formality in the coming years, JT is now enriching many young lives with more than his exploits on the field.
His sincere passion of our nation’s youth and his indigenous culture played an important part in him being awarded the 2018 Australian Humanitarian of the Year.
JT launched The Johnathan Thurstan Academy in February 2018 as the organisation is fast becoming a leading national provider of employment initiatives and community programs aimed at employment, education and well-being for the youth of Australia.
JT Academy is driven by Johnathan Thurston’s life journey, with the belief that the youth can find inspiration to become the drivers of change that will take Australia to its next stage of development. JT Academy embodies Johnathan’s experience, influence, and carefully curated brand image to impact the lives of Australian’s youth through targeted programs that impact all aspects of their lives.
The Academy programs are designed to equip the youth with confidence, courage, and self-belief so they can be empowered to take control of their own futures.
Hervey Bay is going to be a beneficiary of the great work of the Academy and now has Chloe Lhotka as Program Coordinator based on the Fraser Coast region that will only benefit our local youth and indigenous community.
She has been working with the Johnathan Thurston Academy for the past two years. Her role started as a program facilitator but have progressed to be the program coordinator.
“I have recently relocated back to Hervey Bay to be with a community and partner that I love. There is ground to support the Hervey Bay community whilst I complete other vital components of my role.
One aspect of my role as the program coordinator is to run out highly successful online programs supported by NBN for communities such as Cherbourg, Narrabri, Goodooga, and Lighting Ridge.”
“Thanks to NBN I am currently delivering online programs for Aldridge State High School in Maryborough and Bundaberg State High School through the online component. This requires me to reach more young people especially those in rural and regional communities,” says Chloe.
Chloe was born and raised on Gubbi Gubbi country. She has a background in Criminology and Justice studies and recently completed my Master of Social Work (Qualifying) at the University of the Sunshine Coast.
“I found my passion in developing and facilitating programs on Butchulla country. With experience in residential youth work, youth justice, social innovation, and community development I can build rapport with young people quickly.
“I believe you must lead from behind and encourage young people to be the drivers of their own stories. This experience has brought myself to the JT Academy where I deliver evidence-based workshops to boost the confidence, courage, and self-belief to our Nation’s youth.”
For further information, go to the website - www.jtacademy.com.au
