Schools
We currently fully fund the Open Parachute Program in nine local schools:
Lucas Primary School
Siena Catholic Primary School
Delacombe Primary School
Buningyong Primary School (& Scotsburn Campus)
Saints College (Ballarat & Bungaree Campus)
Dana Street Primary School
Woady Yaloak Primary School
Yuille Park Community College
Mt Pleasant Primary School
Take a listen to what one of our schools has to say about the program.
Built from lived experience and a fierce belief that our kids deserve better! We all bring different perspectives to the table, but we’re united by a passion for purposeful work, connection and making real generational change in our community.
Our Team
My passion is driven by both lived experience and a belief that we need to get in earlier. Iam passionate about changing the way we approach youth mental health - from waiting until our kids are struggling to equipping them with the practtical skills, knowledge and languange before they need them most. Hand in Hand has always been so much more than raising money. Its about bringing people together, having real conversations and creaiting meaningful generational change for our kids. If we can give our kids the mental health skills for them to better navigate life before they reach crisis, why would we?
Leah Ashton
Not so long ago I spoke to a close friend who is a local school vice principal. The conversation we had was confronting and extremely emotional for me. It made me aware of how big of a challenge mental health is for schools and communities. We need to help the youth of today with this very real problem and help them deal with the challenges they face. Awareness of mental health is a step, it is time we overcome the mental health stigma and deal with it in a positive way and teach our kids the skills they need..
Geoff Reese
Living in Ballarat with a young family, I have a deep passion for mental health in our community. My involvement in the junior sporting scene has given me firsthand insight into the challenges our young people face. Too many are struggling in silence, and they deserve every bit of help we can offer.
I believe strongly in the impact of the Open Parachute program. It equips children with the tools they need to navigate daily life struggles, build confidence, and develop empathy skills that allow them not only to learn the skills themselves but also to help those around them
Melissa Blomeley
We are a pasionate gym and strive to make a positive and healthy impact on our community. Hand in Hand Ballarat ties in with everything we are about. We believe that the youth of today are the future and we are extremely passionate about helping to provide a mental health education program in schools so that each child is equipped with the tools to understand and problem solve issues that arise in their lives.
Dustyn Rodgers
I am a passionate advocate for youth mental health, driven by a belief that every young person deserves the chance to be their best self. My focus is on initiatives that build emotional resilience, foster connection, and create safe spaces where our youth can learn and grow.
I’m especially committed to primary prevention, empowering individuals with the skills and confidence they need before crisis hits. That’s why I’m proud to support the Open Parachute program. By equipping young people with the tools to understand themselves, manage challenges, and build strong foundations, we can shift the trajectory of mental health outcomes for future generations.