Our aim is to make a significant difference to the life of an Old Boy in tough times to achieve a positive outcome

When an Old Boy or his family needs support and does not know where to turn, the OKGA seeks to provide confidential, complimentary support to find solutions.

The Old Boys for Old Boys Program was launched in 2014 (as the Benevolence Fund) and continues to be supported financially and operationally by the OKGA and donations and offers of assistance from Old Boys and their families.

"Having someone to talk to at extreme times of need is so important to help you face your challenges. I am so grateful to have been introduced to this program"

OKGA Benevolence Manager, Emily Morris   

Emily holds a Bachelor of Social Work from the University of New South Wales and has almost 15 years post graduate experience. Emily has a broad range of skills having worked in Community Mental Health, Foster Care, Rehabilitation Counselling, Royal Commission Counselling, and Rape and Domestic Violence Counselling.

Emily is an experienced training facilitator who has provided programs nationally to a variety of organisations some of which include elite sports teams, the NSW Bar Association, the NSW Police and various hospitals and universities.     

As a caseworker and counsellor, Emily comes to this position with a passion for assisting individuals to find solutions and seek support before things feel desperate or overwhelming.    

Contact Emily

What do we do? 

Examples of the cases and types of assistance provided under the Program: 

• Navigation of various Government Programs eg NDIS, Centrelink, Aged Care Assessments;
• Petitioning government departments in order to access governmental support;
• Triaging individuals and families who require assistance in accessing medical or social work support and assisting them to access those services
• Assisting our newest Old Boys with transitioning to tertiary or post school opportunities
• Assistance with Job seeking through the Old Boys network
• Supporting individuals and families through drug, alcohol and gambling addiction and assisting them to access services for rehabilitation; 
• Supporting individuals and families through sudden life events or crises;
• Working with Old Boys who have acquired various serious medical conditions such as Early-onset Dementia, Parkinson's Disease, various Cancer diagnoses and PTSD in order to assist them to access the systems and facilities necessary for treatment and ongoing care;
• Assisting single elderly Old Boys with no family for support to have an Aged Care Assessment, access to aged care accommodation and ongoing medical support
• Work with veterans with some of the issues which arise as they transition back to civilian life
• Developing parenting plans where there is a family breakdown
• Supporting families where suicide or severe mental health issues have occurred
• Working with various NGOs to promote positive male mental health ie partnering with Gotcha4Life and Tomorrow Man to put on a free workshop for OKGs and the wider Knox Community
• Working with the School to develop a Year 13- 14 Program which will help all Year 12 Knox students to transition to their post School life by assisting them with practical life skills, mentoring and networking opportunities and accessing the wealth of knowledge and experience which lies within the OKGA membership
• Connecting Old Boys with fellow Old Boys who have time or skills which they have offered as part of this program eg OKG medical and legal practitioners providing pro bono advice or care, providing transport services to medical or other appointments, undertaking minor repairs or maintenance to homes or accommodation where there is no financial or physical ability to complete the work.
  

Gotcha4Life Mental Fitness Gym

Founded by Gus Worland (OKG86), Gotcha4Life is on a mission to help people build their mental fitness to better navigate life's ups and downs. 

The Gotcha4Life Mental Fitness Gym is an online platform full of resources you can use to build emotional muscle. 

These muscles support mental fitness and can be strengthened with the right exercises, just like physical muscles. 

Visit the Mental Fitness Gym any day, any time, on any device.   

How you can help Old Boys 

• Follow the steps recommended on the Gotcha4Life Mental Fitness Gym 
• Become a Year Representative: Be one of a group of individuals from your year who regularly reach out to members of your leaving year for a chat. Develop your understand of the Old Boys for Old Boys Program so you can refer Old Boys in need. 
• Volunteer your time and/or expertise 
• Donate: By making a donation to the Benevolent Fund, you will have a lasting impact on the lives of fellow Old Boys in need of support, now and into the future. 
• Future Planning: Allowing for a gift in your will, provides a wonderful legacy and assurance that future Old Boys will be supported in their future time need. 

Hear Sam Clarke (OKG15) describe the Old Boys for Old Boys Program