About Reach

Unlocking the power of young people so they can shape their own lives

We invest in young facilitators to design and deliver transformative experiences for young people.

We connect young people to create a sense of social belonging, have breakthrough conversations and build emotional resilience/ courage.

Our workshops are 100% led by young people. They design it and deliver it. They're armed with the kind of insight only a young person can truly grasp.

our method

What we do

We connect with a young person, uncover what’s holding them back, and equip them with the tools to set goals, deal with conflict and stand up for what they believe in.

We give them the skills to navigate life’s challenges.

We do this for 40,000 young Australians every single year. Creating generations of confident, self-aware, passionate young people shaping the world to be a better place.

Our Crew

We're youth led

Our workshops are for anyone aged from 10 to 18 and are led by other young people who have been on the journey too. We call them the crew.

As well as running all of our workshops, the crew are involved in ongoing training and development, contributing to the leadership of Reach, and training and mentoring younger crew.

Check out our crew

  • Bri

  • Cam

  • Caleb

About us

Our History

Reach was founded by Jim Stynes and Paul Currie in 1994 with a pretty clear vision – to inspire young people to believe in themselves and get the most out of life.

Since then, Reach has grown beyond Jim and Paul’s wildest dreams – with hubs in Melbourne and Sydney. Thousands of people across Australia participate in our workshops each year and demand continues to increase. Jim and Paul were on to something all those years ago!

Our People

Supported by a team of passionate people

There’s a bunch of dedicated people who work for Reach in Melbourne and Sydney. They have a combo of skills, experience, expertise and passion – and contribute their hearts and heads to making Reach tick.

The Reach Leadership Team

Emily Serle, COO
Ryan McMurray, CXO
Susan Mitchell, CFO

Our People

Backed and advised by our awesome Board

Our Board are a bunch of successful business leaders and professionals who volunteer their time to oversee the governance and strategic direction of Reach.

Close

Fergus Watts

Fergus Watts is an entrepreneur and investor with businesses across Australia, the United States and London.

Fergus started working life as a professional AFL footballer. Picked at number 14 in the 2003 National Draft, Fergus went on to play for both the Adelaide Crows and St Kilda Saints. After a significant run of injuries, Fergus was left unable to play the game at the highest level and his career was cut short.

At 22 Fergus founded leading independent marketing agency network Bastion. Started from his living room with zero experience or investment, Bastion is now the largest independent agency network in Australia, with offices in Melbourne, Sydney, Los Angeles, New York and Auckland employing over 300 staff. Fergus is currently Non-Executive Chairman of Bastion.

Fergus is currently the Executive Chairman of the Reach Foundation. The Reach Foundation delivers targeted, youth-designed and led programs aimed at the promotion, prevention and early intervention of mental health in young people. This proven, peer-to-peer approach creates spaces that are relatable, interactive and engaging while empowering young people to build social, emotional and resilience skills early on in life.

Fergus’ speciality is business growth and entrepreneurship.

Close

Robert Collie

Robert Collie is the Chairman of the Deloitte Foundation and Responsible Business Leader for Deloitte Australia.

He provides audit and assurance services to private companies and family groups specialising in motor dealers and warehousing and distribution. Robert also has vast experience in the provision of audit services to the not for profit sector including some of Vicotria’s largest independent schools, major sporting bodies and welfare porviders.

As Chairman of The Deloitte Foundation, he is passionate about growing the reach and impact of the Foundation utilising the skills and expertise of Deloitte’s diverse and committed partners and staff. The Foundation contributed over $30m last financial year to the wider community through the provision of pro-bono and low-bono services, skilled volunteering and workplace giving initiatives. Robert is also proud to work with Deloitte’s committed and dedicated Responsible Business Team.

Robert is a past Captain, President and Treasurer of Victoria Golf Club, and past President and Treasurer of Beaumaris Junior Football Club.

Close

Sabina Read

Delivering a perfect alchemy of facts and fun, psychological insights and disarming warmth, Sabina’s widely recognised for her ability to create trust, validate challenges and effect meaningful change.

With her unparalleled experience in psychology, human behaviour, communications, PR and marketing, she’s a highly sought-after host, facilitator, spokesperson, mentor, speaker and expert.

Sabina is a well-loved voice in Australian media. For over a decade, she has had a weekly spot on top rating Radio 3AW’s Afternoons program and has been a regular expert and thought leader in print, TV and radio nationwide. Prominent figures like Waleed Aly and Samantha Armitage have sought her out as a knowledgeable and entertaining guest on their podcasts.

Additionally, Sabina co-hosts the podcast Human Cogs with Madeleine Grummet, where she delves into the complex lives of “extraordinary ordinaries”. Human Cogs is available to listen to on Apple, Spotify, Stitcher or at humancogs.com

Sabina is SEEK’s Resident Psychologist and Brand Ambassador. SEEK helps Australians live more fulfilling and productive working lives and helps organisations succeed; a mission strongly aligned with Sabina’s own.

Sabina is also a communications specialist, with almost a decade of experience working in public relations and marketing roles in Melbourne, San Francisco and London.

Close

Richard Chapman

With over 22 years in marketing and communications, Richard is an experienced industry leader and is currently CEO of Bastion Amplify an integrated PR and social media agency and Bastion Asia a specialist marketing and communications agency both part of Bastion Collective.

Prior to this, Richard was Managing Director of The Story Lab, a Dentsu Aegis Network company. Richard founded and managed successful public relations and marketing agency, Spark Communications and experiential marketing and brand activation agency, Impact. After eight years at the helm, Richard sold to the Mitchell Communication Group.

Richard’s passion lies in developing multi-channel communications solutions that create memorable and meaningful brand experiences for consumers. His creativity and passion, combined with his strong track record in delivering excellence to clients, provide the newest asset to Bastion Amplify.

Richard has a strong background in content marketing, public relations and solid experience across sponsorship consulting and experiential marketing.

Richard’s passion for experiences extends beyond work to his love of surfing, watching sport and spending time with his family.

Our Commitment to Child Safety

Child safety is an overarching commitment for Reach as part on any young person’s wellbeing and this is reflected in all activities, policies and practices. Reach has zero tolerance for abuse of young people and is committed to acting in the best interests of the health and wellbeing of the young people Reach comes into contact with. In achieving a safe environment for all young people, Reach recognises the particular needs of Aboriginal young people, young people from linguistically diverse backgrounds, gender diverse young people and those with a disability.

Our Young Person Wellbeing Policy

Principal Partners

Supporting what we do

Reach couldn’t realise its potential without our generous supporters and valued partnerships. We’re fortunate to receive gifts of time, money and talent from individuals and organisations. It’s an awesome feeling to receive these gifts and to know that so many people share our vision.

Become a corporate partner