Senior police and NRL stars visited Jubullum village near Tabulam recently to lead a healing day and launch a new ‘Choices- Your Decision’ campaign with the NRL and the NSW Department of Education, following a crash last year that killed two local teenagers.

On Wednesday, February 7, Deputy Commissioners Peter McKenna APM and Gavin Wood APM, Richmond Police District Commander, Superintendent Scott Tanner, and Aboriginal Community Liaison Officers Ros and Willlie were joined by special guests, South Sydney Rabbitohs stars Latrell Mitchell and Jack Wighton at Jubullum Village.

The initiative was born following the tragic passing of two teenage boys in November 2023, in which Latrell Mitchell and fellow Rabbitohs star Cody Walker’s 14-year-old cousin was killed, which resulted in significant trauma to the Jubullum and Taree communities.

The event which included a yarning circle and discussions around community-led projects with a focus on healing was attended by about 200 people.

During the yarning circle, Richmond Police District Superintendent Scott Tanner said police will continue working alongside elders to help kids get on the right path.

“I’m not going to come here and tell you what we think you want to do, or should do, we want to learn from you,” Supt Tanner said.

“We all need to be on the same page, we need to understand all the different parts of community and as Uncle Ernest said, respect, love and care for each other.

“The next generation are not lost; they just need to be shown the way.”

At Jubullum village, Deputy Commissioner Peter McKenna APM launched the ‘Choices – Your Decision’ campaign; a collaboration between NSW Police, the NSW Department of Education and NRL players Latrell Mitchell and Cody Walker.

The campaign will be launched across all schools within NSW, highlighting the importance of young people making good decisions.

“Our hope is that young people take the time to consider the impacts of their actions, so we can put an end to these tragedies and the immense grief that comes with them,” A/DCoP McKenna said.

“We are playing our part; however, it takes a village, and there needs to be a collective societal effort to instil a sense of belonging and purpose in our young people so they can reach their full potential.”