On 3 December 1960 Her Excellency Viscountess Dunrossil officially opened the first Canberra Police and Citizens Boys Club on the present sight of the Turner PCYC in Mackay Gardens. The building was constructed largely with the assistance of donated materials and labour from Canberra businesses and the community. The Canberra Rotary club was instrumental in assisting with fundraising and volunteer work during the establishment and construction of the Turner Club.

The following comment was found in minutes taken at one of the committee meetings following the completion of the building at Turner. "Ladies Auxiliary - Without the Ladies Auxiliary we feel that the large numbers of voluntary tradesman and labourers at weekends could not otherwise have been properly catered for, and we feel that the meals supplied by the auxiliary was, in addition to the public spirited feeling that was present, a great enticement for volunteers to come along and work on the building, especially those who lived in hostels."

In 1961 with the assistance of former World Boxing Champion Mr. Jimmy Carruthers (a product of the NSW Police and Citizens Boys Clubs) the club was able to purchase a steel boxing ring and associated equipment. Today this boxing ring is still being used at the Turner PCYC for boxing training and tournaments.

To raise funds, weekly dances and housie were conducted in the club at Turner. In 1962 a committee member commented that, "Housie would have to be discontinued as it was a losing proposition since television had arrived".

In 1972, the club changed its name to the Canberra Police and Citizens Youth Club so that all of Canberra's young people (both boys and girls) may benefit from the activities and facilities provided by the club.

On 20 November 1987 a second club was officially opened at Grattan Court, Wanniassa to provide PCYC activities for the young people of the Tuggeranong Valley.

Today - the PCYC is an Incorporated Company supported by the Australian Federal Police, Office for Children, youth and Family Services, Bureau of Sport & Recreation and many other local businesses and sponsors.

The Canberra PCYC's are affiliated with other PCYC's located across Australia with a total membership in excess of 100,000. Making the PCYC one of the largest youth organisations in Australia.

The Philosophy behind the PCYC is that no single organisation has the sole capacity to address all the issues that affect young people in today's global environment. Among the concerns are the extent of youth crime and the degree of distress that many young people face due to substance abuse, family violence, or other extreme social and physical difficulties.

By adopting a preventative approach to address these concerns, the Canberra Police and Citizens Youth Club recognises that it must work closely with police, the community, young people, government agencies, and non-government organisations. The focus of our attention is to reduce crime, reduce the fear of crime and target 'youth at-risk'. Deliberate collaboration, purposeful partnerships, and strong alliances will drive the Canberra Police and Citizens Youth Club.

Through our future ongoing change process we will demonstrate our commitment to create opportunity for youth, by ensuring the activities reflect the needs of young people throughout the territory.

To achieve this we have developed a five year Strategic Management Plan which represents a major change in the future direction and development of the Canberra PCYC. This plan not only reflects the relevance for today's police, but documents the future vision and way ahead for a changing role and emphasis for the PCYC.