Wee Waa RSL’s closing chapter opens new opportunities for local youth program

A chapter has closed for the Wee Waa RSL sub-branch, but its legacy of service and community spirit will continue with a generous donation of $8000 set to open new opportunities for local program RiverBank Youth Works.

The Wee Waa RSL sub-branch, led by Vietnam veteran Dennis Lowder OAM, wanted to ensure its remaining funds would benefit the local community rather than be absorbed by Sydney headquarters.

“When the Wee Waa sub-branch didn’t have enough members to keep going, rather than shut it down completely, we became a chapter of Narrabri and the sub-branch’s money went into an account there, and it’s just been sitting there,” explained Mr Lowder.

He championed the idea of supporting Riverbank Youth Works, a non-profit organisation founded by Christian ‘Chippy’ Petersen and based in Wee Waa.

Mr Lowder told the Wee Waa News his proposal to give the funds to the local youth initiative was met with unanimous support at the Narrabri RSL sub-branch’s recent annual general meeting.

“I knew what Chippy was trying to get going,” said Mr Lowder.

“He saw a need for the program, and I could see that need for it too … to try to get young people back on track. I’d spoken to him on a number of occasions about it, even before he got started.

“And when I took it to the meeting, they all thought ‘what a wonderful project’ and we all agreed on giving the money.”

Officially launched in 2024, RiverBank Youth Works aims to support young people in the district who are disengaged with traditional education and are making choices that could have lasting negative consequences.

Mr Petersen, or Chippy as he is known locally, is on a mission to turn their lives around by helping disengaged youth develop the skills and confidence they need to make better decisions and find fulfilment, creating positive flow-on effects for the whole community.

Mr Petersen said he understands traditional learning doesn’t resonate with every student, and often young people thrive when acquiring hands-on skills. He said the program aims to teach practical skills that many young people ‘genuinely need to succeed in the real world’.

“This approach provides kids with the opportunity to pursue meaningful and enjoyable careers while fostering a passion for something greater,” he said. “Our team’s goal is to teach employable skills, improve real life capability and support them within a friendly and caring environment.”

Many readers would be familiar with Mr Petersen’s good work in the community and various capabilities – from building and repairing things to playing an instrument – his approachable, down-to-earth, and fuss-free reputation has made him a popular mentor for young people.

As previously reported, Mr Petersen’s experience in youth work began when he was just a youth.

In his senior high school years, he helped run games and activities at a local youth group in Barraba, working and learning his way through several different paid and volunteer roles.

Next, Mr Petersen stepped up to take on various roles in schools, including running a successful breakfast club in Wee Waa, where he helped improve the emotional and physical lives of students while also working as the Wee Waa Public School chaplain.

In 2018, Mr Petersen said ‘a light bulb moment’ started flickering away inside and this later sparked the launch of RiverBank Youth Works, which has received positive feedback from local residents including Mr Lowder.

A veteran, a tireless volunteer and contributor to the district, Mr Lowder was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for service to veterans and to the community of Wee Waa in 2025.

His experience allowed him to recognise that RiverBank Youth Works had the potential to not only benefit young people but also leave a good and significant impact on Wee Waa and its social fabric.

“I was involved with youth years ago as a Scout leader, I was a Scout leader in town here for 16 years and Scouts was something the kids really looked forward to coming along to back then, and it’s all fallen over now,” said Mr Lowder.

“Chippy is working with a bit of a different youth demographic, the kids are a bit more troubled and that’s something that really needs work – not only in this town but everywhere – to try to get them back on the right path.

“I could see that what Chippy was doing was worthwhile and everyone at the RSL AGM agreed with me.”

Mr Lowder praised RiverBank Youth Works for not only helping young people find a sense of purpose and direction but also the positive impact of camaraderie and creating a sense of belonging.

“A bit like being in the army, you form a new circle of friends and you become good mates, I think the same could be happening with the ones involved in Chippy’s youth group – they’d eventually become good mates and hang together, run off one another and keep one another in line,” Mr Lowder added.

Mr Petersen agreed with the sentiment, “So when I was in the reserves, there were a lot of young blokes who really had no idea what they needed to do with their life and for them, the reserves or joining the army offered structure, the chance to do something productive together, which I think a lot of young people need.

“School is important, but it doesn’t work for everyone. And when you feel like you’re not very good at it, it’s really hard to strive and be good at it.

“Whereas a different situation like the army, or hopefully RiverBank, that different environment can often see people thrive.”

For Riverbank Youth Works, which is entirely reliant on local support and is yet to secure significant grant funding, donations like the RSL’s can be a game-changer.

“It helps us keep going,” Mr Petersen said.

“It’s generosity from people who see value in our program that has kept us going to this point and will into the future.”

Beyond the financial assistance, Mr Petersen expressed deep gratitude for the endorsement from Mr Lowder and the RSL.

“In my opinion, our returned servicemen and women are the pinnacle of nobility, they’re held in such high regard, and so, for the RSL – the peak – to look at us and say ‘we can do something here’, it means a lot.

“Part of what I’m doing it for is to change perceptions, negative perceptions people might have about some of the disengaged youth. So, to have this support, I think it brings us closer together as a community,” added Mr Petersen.

Mr Petersen said he remains committed to achieving RiverBank Youth Works’ mission with the support of his team and Wee Waa community, with plans for upcoming joint projects including building Myna bird traps with the Yarrie Lake Landcare Group and a native garden project in March with Open Rivers at Wee Waa Public School.