Standing 195cm tall at just 15 years of age, Fitzroy Crossing's Travis Burgu has long dreamed of being a basketballer, an aim which now feels realistic after two years practicing at the town's successful Night Space youth centre.
Travis was one of more than 100 attendees at Wednesday's two-year birthday for Night Space, which was recently upgraded and now offers local youths activities, games, support, and a cooked meal.
Operated by Marra Worra Worra Aboriginal Corporation (MWWAC), Night Space has had a resounding impact. Each night it typically receives between 50 and 100 visits from local children, who are encouraged to behave with kindness and respect.
The results have been remarkable, with WA Police statistics indicating a 50 per cent reduction in youth crime in Fitzroy Crossing since the initiative was launched two years ago.
Marra Worra Worra notes that, before Night Space opened, there was "a large number of street present, disengaged young people, high number of stolen vehicles, wide-spread anti-social behaviour by youth, fear in community".
A regular attendee at Night Space since it opened, Travis said many of those children who used to roam Fitzroy Crossing at night, bored and aimless, but now spend the evening playing at the youth facility instead.
Night Space has become a safe haven for kids such as Travis. He's cherished honing his dribbling, passing and shooting under the roof of its impressive covered basketball court, where the crowd assembled on Wednesday to listen to speeches and have dinner.
Travis believes Night Space has improved the wellbeing of many Fitzroy Crossing children. Rather than loitering on the town's streets, they now can develop their sporting, creative and social skills at Night Space.
"It gets them out of town, away from fights," he said of the Night Space facility.
Night Space has received regular positive feedback from local parents and grandparents, MWWAC Youth Connection Program Manager, Rochelle Dolby, said.
MWWAC has reported witnessing children becoming more confident and calm since attending Night Space.
"It's helped the young people in making positive choices and being able to grow and connect with mentors," Ms Dolby said.
Ms Dolby pointed to an example of a 17-year-old boy about to graduate from Fitzroy River Senior High School. He will soon begin working at Night Space, and is showing the potential to grow into a community leader.
"He's been one of our participants from the first night we opened the Night Space and he's very excited to start some casual work with us," Ms Dolby said.
"Just seeing one young person grabbing opportunities to grow, and then to come and work in this space, I think that's one of our big (success) stories".
Night Space is offering a positive new direction for the entire community of Fitzroy, MWWAC director and board member, Patrick Green, said.
"There's a lot of our children that don't have a safe space, and somewhere to be a child and enjoy life," he said.
"So here we've worked towards having a facility that makes them feel safe and to enjoy playing as a child."
Despite the success of Night Space, Fitzroy Crossing and surrounding areas still need increased services for youths, especially services to assist with mental health and homelessness, MWWAC Head of Community Programs, Nicola Angell said,
"There's not enough organisations and agencies to refer our young people," Ms Angell said.
"There's no overnight or short-term accommodation for young people who are homeless or seeking to live independently. And there needs to be more services to help young people engage, or re-engage with school, or in further education and employment training.
"There's some good services that are working, but there just needs to be more of a range of services."
