Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal (FRRR)

In 2021, 18-year-old school captain Mason Black stood in front of his all-boys school assembly and called for ‘the boys’ to put an end to the sexual assault and harassment of women. What started as a powerful speech encouraging his peers to stand up, be better men and advocate for equality became transformative – empowering young men with the tools, knowledge, guidance and support to become “BetterMen”.

Mason realised that while his speech resonated nationwide, words alone were not enough. He wanted to make sure that his message truly reached and impacted young men. With VFFF’s support and a $50,000 Backing the Future grant, Mason launched his mission to inspire and mentor boys to rise above accepted societal norms and cultural misogyny. “This isn’t about condemning young men but helping them understand what it means to be a better man,” Mason explained.

The Betterment Project aims to reshape unacceptable behaviours in young men. “Our mission is to inspire and mentor boys to raise their standards and unlearn the harmful ideas of the past. Ultimately, we want to create a new generation of gentlemen.”

By addressing disrespect in youth, the project aims to prevent the development of dangerous behaviours such as sexual violence, coercive control, and domestic violence. “Rather than focusing on specific issues, I want to guide young people onto a positive path simply by answering the question: How can we become better men?”

In July 2024, The Betterment Project embarked on a 20-day tour across regional Queensland, engaging more than 1,450 students from the Sunshine Coast to Rockhampton. The tour aimed to cultivate a culture of respect among rural and regional youth through interactive workshops on consent, domestic & family violence and mental health. The “Respect Workshop” sessions, tailored for co-ed or all-male audiences, received enthusiastic, positive feedback from students and school staff, demonstrating their impact on shifting perspectives and fostering early positive behaviours.

The tour also launched the “My Story” campaign, which featured local community champions whose stories inspire resilience and positive change. The team interviewed three influential role models: Leon Stensholme, founder of Lockout07 for at-risk youth; Ashton Wood, founder of DV Safe Phones; and Wil McIntyre, who runs a mental health initiative for young men. “We wanted to show these students that role models don’t have to be celebrities or public figures – they can be the people in our towns making real differences every day,” Mason says. Their stories are now shared widely to motivate and support young people across Queensland. WATCH these powerful stories on their YouTube channel.

Based on the tour’s success, they plan to expand their reach, with another regional tour scheduled in May 2025 in partnership with Rotary, as well as additional programs in Brisbane schools. They also plan to establish an advisory group to guide ongoing development and education initiatives, aiming to create a statewide campaign for respectful relationships, early intervention and a safer future for Queensland youth.

Reflecting on the tour, Mason noted that the biggest conversations with boys revolved around the importance of strong male role models. “For many young men, they had no positive male role models in their lives,” he says. “Through these workshops, we’re not only strengthening the character of these boys, but we’re setting them up to be a network of strong male role models for the next generation growing up in the community.”

For Mason, the VFFF grant was an invaluable opportunity to test and refine his vision. “I didn’t realise how unique this grant was, supporting individuals and ideas at their infancy without the red tape of forming an organisation,” he shared. “I wish there were more opportunities like Backing the Future.”

While initially set up as a sole trader, Mason soon recognised the need to formalise the project’s structure. To open it to future philanthropic donations, he restructured the organisation and applied for charitable status from the ACNC. “The VFFF grant was key in helping me turn my idea into a transformative initiative,” he reflects.

Mason and the team at The Betterment Project are now planning to host their first event next year, aimed at engaging young student leaders in the conversation to end gender-based violence. It will be the first event of its kind, marking the first time the project directly engages other young people in this important discussion.

Mason expresses his gratitude to VFFF for turning his words at that school podium into a life-changing experience for thousands of students across regional Queensland. He encourages others with ideas for supporting young people to explore this funding opportunity. “The Betterment Project is a testament to the power of belief in a mission and the resources to make that vision a reality,” he says. “We’re creating real, systemic change that builds stronger young people and enriches our communities far into the future.”