The Old Dubbo Fire Station has been home to many different organisations over the years, but now, in its 100th year, the station is headed in an all new direction.
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The space, leased by the Dubbo Local Aboriginal Land Council, is in the process of being torn apart and renovated, going from a cafe and art space to a boxing gym.
The downstairs section of the historical building will become the new home of Pound for Pound Mentoring, a program founded by former Australian Lightweight title holder Robert 'Gummy' Toomey and his late wife Kara.
The program, which was something Kara advocated strongly for, aims to help disadvantaged youths in the area and is a Department of Communities and Justice funded initiative.
Toomey, who defeated Sydney-based boxer Anthony Brownlie via unanimous decision in 2012 to become the first Australian boxing title holder from Dubbo, has has been driving social work through his boxing gyms for almost as long.
"I've always had a boxing gym, I mean, Pound for Pound, the whole idea, it's been going for a really long time now," Mr Toomey said.
Our goal is to get our young people back to and give them the skills so that they can work.
- Robert 'Gummy' Toomey
While the boxing program is Toomey's bread and butter, with the former Australian champion having long owned and operated boxing gyms in the area, the initiative is part and parcel of the work Toomey is doing through Yarruwala Youth and Family Services.
The building will be split between the two programs, with the upstairs housing Yarruwala and providing jobs and skills based training and mentoring, with the gym taking up the downstairs space.
"Upstairs is where we'll have the Yarruwala Youth and Family Services," Mr Toomey said.
"It's a not-for-profit organisation, our goal is to get our young people back to working and give them the skills so that they can work."
"We work with councils and job agencies organisations like that, it's work we've been doing for about fifteen months."
While there's no hard date on when the renovations will be completed, with Toomey and the team wanting to take their time and ensure the extensive work - involving installation of equipment, resurfacing and decoration - is done properly.
When it's ready, the program will run classes and group sessions aimed at promoting fitness and aspirational thinking for young people training in the gym, while upstairs Yarruwala will assist and advocate for young people in finding paid, gainful employment.
Those interested in finding out more about Yarruwala's programs or Pound for Pound mentoring can do so by contacting heidiyarruwala@outlook.com.
