News & Resources

Don’t we want all boys to be Top Blokes?

Our Foundation joined with the incredible team at Top Blokes and some boys from Killara High School as they celebrated the end of an incredible journey of discovery, laughter and learning.

Top Blokes engage at-risk and disadvantaged young males aged 10-24 over a period of 6 months. During this time, they learn about consent, alcohol and other drugs, safe sex, mental health, supporting their peers, and more…

What really impressed us is seeing the peer engagement that comes from the mentors that lead the program. They leverage their own life experience and wisdom to help these boys navigate their way through life to find the best outcomes for their futures.

It reminded us of the tradition of Rites of Passage

“For thousands of years, Indigenous and Traditional communities recognised the importance of Rites of passage transitions for the growth, connectedness, and health of an individual and community. In modern society we have lost most Rites of Passage and instead we see young people trying to create their own, often with disastrous consequences” *

Engaging boys at critical points within their prime ‘risk-taking’ stage of adolescence provides windows of opportunities to alter any dangerous or regrettable decisions they may make.

We’re proud to have provided a grant to pay for this program to roll out in 7 local schools across our community.

These boys increase their resilience, empathy, and respect for self and others. This character building works to reduce the rates of suicides, mental health issues, anti-social and risk-taking behaviors.

If you would like to see this program continue and are able to join our donor network, get in touch, by emailing [email protected]

For tips and information on young men’s health, head to the Top Blokes website topblokes.org.au

*Rites of Passage Institute 2022, accessed July 2022, <https://ritesofpassageinstitute.org/institute-and-team-2>