Uncle - Helping boys become men

Uncle is a mentoring program existing for boys (particularly those with absent fathers) who would benefit from a more supportive environment of positive male role models.

Uncle recruits, screens [1], trains and supports adult male mentors to spend time with local boys and organizes and facilitates activities and workshops where men and boys interact, learn, play and work together.

Uncle builds communities of men that care about the young men in their community and also gives the boys an alternative social community outside of home and school in which to explore their place in the world.

Uncle has been operating solely in Byron Bay and surrounds for ten years and is run by our Coordinator, Mark Gasson.

Mark has a varied history having completed both Bachelors and Masters Degrees in Philosophy, cared for children with disabilities, built custom bicycles, stage sets and run his own metal work and blacksmithing company. He has an extensive background of mentoring and training and spent seven years as a volunteer for the Royal National Lifeboat Institute in the UK as a Rescue Boat Skipper. Through this role he gained experience of leading and working with groups coming into contact with people from all walks of life and in particular, many mentally ill, suicidal, injured and traumatised adults and children. Mark was also part of the UK International Rapid Response Flood Rescue Team and is a certified Advanced Power Boat Instructor and an RYA Yachtmaster. He is currently a skipper of the Brunswick VRA Rescue Boat and enjoys surfing, camping, kayaking, walking, skateboarding, sailing, biking and metal sculpture.

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[1] Uncle completes checks with the NSW Commission for Children and Young People, contacts six referees (two female), conducts a series of interviews, ensures men have lived in the area for a number of years, publishes names in local papers and observes men at activities and camps. We are always vigilant against paedophiles, but poor anger management and chauvinistic attitudes are also causes for concern.