The Goanna Difference
At the centre of everything we do is The Yarning Circle—a place of listening, sharing, and walking alongside community. It reflects our belief that mental health support works best when it’s grounded in culture, connection, and lived experience.
Everything we do is designed with care, backed by evidence, and driven by a deep commitment to community. That’s our difference—and it’s one we’re proud to share.
Our Programs
School Programs
MindED is Goanna Academy’s main mental health program for schools. It helps students overcome stigma around mental health and teaches practical skills for resilience and self-care. Launched in 2020 with the NSW Department of Education, Sarah Redfern High School, Minto, and headspace, it fits the NSW curriculum and addresses growing mental health concerns in young people. Since then, MindED has grown to schools across NSW, Queensland, and beyond.
Goanna Academy is quality assured by the NSW Department of Education to provide wellbeing programs in schools.
MindED offers flexible options—from single visits to full five-part programs—for students and families. All sessions are led by trained Goanna Academy Ambassadors and facilitator who bring real experience and cultural understanding.
Community Clinics
Goanna Academy’s Community Clinics are community-led, constant, and co-created programs that use sport as a gateway to mental health in vulnerable communities, including young people at risk. By combining footy and fun, we deliver accessible mental health messages and build lasting connections across regional Australia.
Our whole-of-community approach strengthens social capacity and links people to local health services and discussions with adults. Program impact is evaluated in partnership with the University of Newcastle and The Wollotuka Institute.
Our Corporate Programs
Goanna Academy’s WorkWELL programs equip leaders and teams with practical tools to support both staff and their own wellbeing. Our programs are designed to build internal capacity by offering actionable strategies to manage and reduce psychosocial risks in the workplace.
WorkWELL helps employers foster a resilient, mentally healthy workforce. With a whole-of-organisation approach, the program engages all levels of staff to build a culture of trust, support, and open conversations around mental health and psychosocial wellbeing.
Remote & Regional Program
Goanna Academy’s MobWELL Programs are designed to highlight the importance of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leadership and foster mutual respect within communities. Through yarning circles and activities grounded in belonging and connection, participants gain practical tools and strategies to build strong character and make positive, respectful choices.
MobWELL empowers communities to identify and address challenges in culturally safe ways. The program strengthens intergenerational connections and supports healing through reconnection to culture, community, and Country.
Culture Awareness Program
CultureAWARE (for HR & Leadership Teams) and UpholdCULTURE (for First Nations and/or CALD employees) are Goanna Academy’s Cultural Awareness Training programs, designed to be delivered responsibly and in culturally appropriate ways. These programs explore:
- Culture and identity
- Celebrating culture in the workplace with respect, inclusivity, and meaning
- Walking in Two Worlds – navigating cultural identity and obligations while maintaining employment
The training encourages participants to value Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and foster mutual respect across their workplaces and personal lives. Mental health strategies are integrated throughout, offering practical tools and resources to support both individual and organisational wellbeing. All discussions take place in yarning circles, creating a culturally safe space for storytelling, reflection, and learning.
Work Place Talks
Greg is an experienced speaker in corporate settings, leading discussions with small and large businesses across multiple industries. Open, honest, and relatable, Greg has an innate ability to connect with people from all walks of life. His speaking topics include mental health and wellbeing, coping with change, and strategies for stress management.
Indigenous Mentoring
Indigenous mentoring plays a vital role in empowering individuals and strengthening communities. It provides guidance, support, and inspiration—helping Indigenous youth and adults navigate the unique challenges they face today. As a proud Indigenous leader, athlete, and mentor, Greg is deeply committed to creating positive change. He has worked with organisations such as Glencore, Indigenous All Stars, NRL Indigenous Youth Camp, NSWRL, FOGS, and QRL, becoming a driving force in Indigenous mentoring across sport, education, and community development.
Our Impact
Evidence Backed Change
Goanna Academy partnered with The Wollotuka Institute to establish a new evaluation design which considers cultural competency, and incorporates people, place and community at the heart of the design. The evaluation comprises a range of activities to provide a more holistic picture of student engagement and benefit, balanced by reflecting on demand, planning, pricing and delivery.
Goanna Academy benchmark against the relevant Education Jurisdiction frameworks, National Closing Gap targets and UNICEF evidence-based decision-making practices.
Programs measure the below, which all link to the Premier’s Priorities for reducing suicide rate towards zero suicides:
- Increase in Attendance
- Increase in the sense of belonging
- Increase health-seeking behaviours
- Increase in school engagement
We’re creating programs that educate, empower, and drive lasting outcomes.
The Results
91%
increase in attendance
76%
of students now have the tools to better look after their mental health
71%
of students understand that help is available to them and their peers
62%
of students display and understanding of self care and steps to look after their mental health
83%
of students can articulate how to set SMART goals, 62% of students actively working on their goals after finishing the program
Testimonials
Goanna Corporate Sponsors
Gold Partners
Silver Partners
Supporters
