MacAir Airlines have extended their support of Queensland youth through a partnership with Youth With a Mission – Reef to Outback. As the newly appointed Travel Partner of Reef to Outback, MacAir will be transporting key youth leaders between Mount Isa and Townsville to assist with training and event coordination. The support of Reef to Outback aligns closely with MacAir’s Community Support Program – through which MacAir has already donated over $150,000 of air travel to the main infrastructure of regional communities, such as schools, shire councils, hospitals and medical facilities. The program also aims to assist organisations that provide a unique benefit to areas that would otherwise miss out. MacAir currently works with Mount Isa Community Helicopter, Frontier Services and Athletics North Queensland to help bring their services to regional Queensland.

YWAM (Youth with a Mission) Reef to Outback is a not for profit charity organisation that aims to help young people in Australia, South East Asia and the Pacific. In Townsville this is largely achieved through Youth Street and recently Reef to Outback extended the program to include Mount Isa.

Youth Street gets plugged into youth culture through skateboarding, music, dance and sports. Every Saturday from 2-10pm it provides teenagers with exciting, safe and positive relationships and builds healthy character. Youth Street is run entirely by volunteers from all over the world. They encourage young people to develop positive values and self esteem, teach them to interact cross-culturally, develop mentoring relationships and provide a listening ear in times of
difficulty, all while helping them grow in the skill taught on each particular team. Their goal is to create a community environment where young people feel valued and learn to respect one another.

Since starting in 2005 in Townsville, over 7,000 local youth and their families have been impacted by Youth Street. In early 2008, Youth Street began in Mt Isa where several hundred youth have already attended the program. MacAir’s support will enable Reef to Outback to stay connected with its Mount Isa branch as they continue developing youth throughout the region.

“We know that connected, whole and healthy youth is the key to the success of the future. Developing strategic partnerships, bringing together organisations and people who care and are willing to invest in them is vital. We are so grateful for MacAir and their support of young people,” said Ken Mulligan, Director of YWAM Reef to Outback

Sarah Raymond, Head of Sales & Marketing for MacAir Airlines, says “the huge distances and isolation often involved with living in regional Queensland can be very challenging, particularly for younger members of the community. It is hoped that through the support of programs such as Youth Street, MacAir will provide youth in regional Queensland with the opportunity to connect with people their own age in a safe and friendly environment.”

MacAir Airlines is a Qantas Frequent Flyer partner, operating a fleet of modern propjets to 36 destinations in regional Queensland, as well as providing fly-in, fly-out services for the mining community. Flights on MacAir can be booked online at www.macair.com.au , through your local travel agent or by contacting Qantas Reservations on 131313.

For more information on Reef to Outback contact:
Rebekah Hoover
PR Officer
YWAM Reef to Outback
Tel: 07 4771 2123
Mob: 0423 886 241
Email: rebekahh@reeftooutback.com

MacAir Media inquiries:
Sarah Raymond
Head of Sales & Marketing
MacAir Airlines
Tel: 07 4729 9411
Mob: 0447 622 247
Email: sarah.raymond@macair.com.au