We are thrilled to announce National Volunteer Week 2025 will celebrate the power of volunteering to bring people together with the theme ‘Connecting Communities’. Volunteering creates lasting relationships that enrich lives and strengthen our communities. Join us as we explore how volunteering promotes community engagement, connection and belonging.

IN THE MEDIA - RACV - Youth Live4Life has announced that it has reached more than 2,400 students in the Ballarat region with critical youth mental health training.

The Live4Life program is led by young people, and supports youth, parents and carers, schools, and communities to help them lead positive mental health conversations and reduce the barriers that prevent young people from seeking help.

The 2024 Live4Life Annual Report is now published! Read about all the incredible achievements across the Live4Life communities in Victoria and Tasmania in 2024.

Ballarat’s young people are more equipped than ever with mental health knowledge as the award-winning Live4Life program embarks on another year in Ballarat.

Returning for its third year, the program will involve at least 11 schools and approximately 2000 students in 2025, as they partake in crucial evidence-based teen mental health education.

IN THE MEDIA - Herald Sun ‘ A proven suicide beater’

Opinion Piece by Bernard Galbally ‘Mental ill-health and suicide among young people is an urgent national problem — and it is alarmingly acute in rural and regional areas. Latest figures from the ABS show that the suicide rate in regional Australia is more than 50% higher than in major cities. The over-representation of these communities is an escalating crisis which demands action.’

Live4Life Wellington is pleased to announce that on Tuesday 30 young people were inducted into Wellington Shire’s Live4Life Crew. This is the first step for these committed and caring young people in becoming local community leaders and Mental Health Ambassadors.

IN THE MEDIA - ABC NEWS, Published 9 April 2025

There are smiles, raucous laughter and friendly greetings in a large room in a Victorian council office building as a group of teenagers sit down to watch a video presentation.

This is not your usual school excursion — it's Live4Life, a mental health education program that equips young people with the skills to save lives in a mental health crisis.

Congratulations to the young volunteers of the Victorian Live4Life Crews, who have been announced as 2025 Finalists for The Victorian Government Group Achievement in the Community Award at the 7News Young Achiever Awards. Also announced as Young Achiever Awards finalists are the members of Live4Life alumni group Crew4Life, who have been nominated for the Awards Australia Foundation Connecting Communities Award.

IN THE MEDIA - Warragul & Drouin Gazette - New Live4Life Crew inducted.

Forty young people from seven local secondary schools and education settings across Baw Baw Shire were inducted as youth mental health ambassadors at the recent Baw Baw Shire Live4Life Crew induction day.

29,991 young people living in rural and regional communities have now received evidence-based mental health education since Live4Life began!

A very important milestone for Live4Life Latrobe Valley, as 29 young people were inducted as their community's inaugural Crew members at the Live4Life Latrobe Valley Induction Day on 18 February.

Creswick civil engineer Michael Parker has embarked upon an epic challenge raising funds for Live4Life and spreading a positive message of mental health with his Massive Murray Paddle for Mental Health!

Congratulations to 2024 Crew member Ella who was awarded Central Goldfields Shire Young Citizen of the Year!

Recognising Ella's outstanding role in sporting achievement and as a Youth Mental Health Ambassador among her peers at Highview College, the award was presented at the Central Goldfields Shire Australia Day celebration in Maryborough.

Congratulations to 2024 Live4Life Baw Baw Crew member Mia, who has been awarded an Australia Day Medallion!

Presented at the annual 2025 Baw Baw Shire Council Australia Day Awards the Medallion honours Mia's commitment to her community through her participation in the Live4Life Baw Baw Crew.

IN THE MEDIA - Ballarat Times ‘Young advocates congratulated’ MEMBERS of the inaugural Ballarat Live4Life Crew have been recognised for their efforts to address mental health issues in Ballarat.

IN THE MEDIA - Suicide is the leading cause of death in youth aged 15-24 in Australia - and it's 40 per cent higher in rural and regional communities. Live4Life wants to change this.

The organisation is offering adults in the Break O’Day area the chance to learn how to support young people's mental health through their award-winning model. 

IN THE MEDIA - Warragul & Drouin Gazette ‘Musician’s open garden a great success’ The recent opening of renowned musician Lisa Gerrard's garden, "The Cork Tree", raised $9088.30 for the Baw Baw Live4Life crew.

IN THE MEDIA - The Warragul & Drouin Gazette ‘Students celebrate fifth year of Life4Life’ Celebrations have marked the fifth successful year of the Live4Life youth mental health program in Baw Baw Shire.

IN THE MEDIA - City of Ballarat ‘Recognising Ballarat’s youth mental health leaders’ A dedicated group of young people have played a vital role in addressing one of the leading issues for youth in Ballarat.

IN THE MEDIA - Mt Gambier Times ‘Young people tackling mental health message’ This year the Glenelg Live4Life crew’s theme ‘Be A Light In Someone’s Darkness’, is all about being there for others and encouraging young people to seek help and speak up when they need it most.