July has seen an increase in building activity on the new 480-bed expansion to Junee Correctional Centre. Currently there are 200 construction workers on site each day with a high percentage employed from the local area. Junee Correctional Centre currently employs 300 staff, of which 45 per cent reside in the Junee shire.
The GEO Youth in Focus program was established to recognise the achievement of young people within the Junee community. Nominees can apply for scholarships in one of three categories: academic excellence, sporting distinction and creative arts. This year, 11 nominations were received. The scholarships were awarded at an Australia Day awards ceremony along with ‘highly commended’ and ‘encouragement’ awards. A total of $10,000 was presented to local youth through the program this year.
Each year the highest-scoring male and female students in the Higher School Certificate at Junee High School who go on to further education are awarded a GEO Bressington Scholarship. It is valued at $1500. Local resident Bill Bressington established a scholarship trust fund in 1990 and when it ended in 2010, GEO stepped in to continue the scholarship.
Junee Correctional Centre will start recruiting part-time correctional officers this week. Applications close on 21 August with the nine-week pre-service course anticipated to start on 22 October. Further details can be found on the recruitment pages of The GEO Group Australia website by visiting http://geogroup.applynow.net.au/
