| posted on February 26, 2021
THE Albany Youth Support Association has appointed Great Southern Police Superintendent Ian Clarke as its new CEO, starting April 12.
After close to 40 year on the force and three years as Superintendent, Mr Clarke is stepping away from the role to pursue a fresh challenge.
“This CEO role is the vehicle and the opportunity I have been looking for to support the committed staff at AYSA and to support services for vulnerable young people in the region,” he said.
“I’m looking forward to working with a new team and using my skills in a slightly different way.”
Mr Clarke said family domestic violence was the single biggest issue affecting Great Southern youth, leading to homelessness and drug abuse.
“In my mind this is not a massive leap because working with at risk people is something I have been doing all my life,” he said.
“A police officer’s role is to protect the community. While my role might have changed, my intent hasn’t.
“AYSA provides a great opportunity to be part of early intervention with our young people who are vulnerable.
“It can provide them with opportunities to move forward in life, despite some of the circumstances they have gone through.”
Mr Clarke joined AYSA as a board member in 2019.
Outgoing CEO Ricky Burges assured the Weekender the most stringent application processes were followed in Mr Clarke’s appointment.
“Ian’s appointment is such an exciting, pivotal time for AYSA,” she said.
“Most recently AYSA was fortunate to receive funding from Lotterywest to do a complete overhaul of all of the policies and processes used within the organisation.”
AYSA is eagerly waiting to move into new premises on 4 Sanford Road after the organisation was forced to pack up shop at its headquarters on Prior Street.
The Sanford Road venue, which is easily noticeable from the street thanks to a large art mural, will house AYSA’s Outreach and Open Access programs.
Ms Burges said redevelopment works were a couple of weeks away from completion.
