International Men's Day: Sharing skills for life

Published 5:02am 16 November 2024

Words by Kylie Knight

In the lead-up to International Men's Day, we are shining a light on the men in our community making a difference.

Hampo’s Youth Foundation is giving young men the tools to successfully make the transition from high school to adult life, with inspiring mentors there to help them along the way.

The foundation was set up in memory of Liam Hampson, a promising rugby league player who died during an overseas holiday in October 2022.

The 24-year-old, who played for the Redcliffe Dolphins and was affectionately known as Hampo, was one subject away from completing a teaching degree when he died.

Hampo’s Youth Foundation was inspired by the impact he had on young people in his work as a teacher aid and outside school hours care team member.

The organisation provides grants for students in Years 11 and 12 to fund education fees and expenses, sport fees (including representative carnival fees and travel expenses), tutoring, sport equipment and transport expenses.

It also provides one-on-one mentoring to help young people develop life skills, build positive relationships and set goals.

In 2024, the foundation worked with two students – one from Redcliffe State High School and another from Keebra Park State High School.

Dolphins NRL player Tom Gilbert and the Redcliffe Dolphins’ Jarrett Bolland have been mentoring Redcliffe State High School student Kahn Turnbull.

“We knew from the moment we met him that he came from a really good family and he’s a really good kid,” Tom says.

He and Jarrett completed training to ensure they had the skills to be effective mentors and could guide Kahn as he prepared to make the transition from high school to adult life.

Tom says he stayed in close contact with Kahn around crucial times such as school holidays and end of term, when exams were coming up.

Jarrett, who is a teacher at Clontarf Beach State High School, says he taught Kahn while on student placement and had already developed a connection.

“We message a bit. I’ve watched him play some school footy, regular check-ins. We went out for brekky the other week,” Jarrett explains.

“I was good friends with Liam, we played footy together. After he passed, his family was brave enough to create the foundation and it was a no-brainer ... any chance to get involved.”

For Tom, the motivation is to play an active role in the community and make a difference in young people’s lives.

“It’s humbling because I was once in his shoes. I was once in Year 12 and transitioning out of school. It’s always a full-circle moment, when you give back to people younger or going through the same journeys that you’ve been on,” Tom says.

He and Jarrett are hoping their work with Kahn will give him the tools to make a smooth transition to life after school.

“I’d like to think it’s at least set him up with the confidence to navigate the first few steps outside of school. No one is ever going to nail it straight away but hopefully he’s got contacts in Tom and I that he can reach out and know that even though he’s out of school, we’re still his mates and we’re still happy to help him,” Jarrett says.

“I think, personally, it’s a nice way to keep Hampo alive. Everything that he stood for, his values and things that made him excited and happy ... he was going to be a teacher too. To be able to keep that part of his life and his spirit kicking along ... it’s quite a special feeling.”

Kahn, who will be working as a carpentry apprentice after he graduates, says being involved with Hampo’s Youth Foundation has given him more confidence as he starts the next chapter of his life.

“The foundation has helped me a lot through school and away from the books as well with all the mental health and physical health stuff they’ve done with me,” he says.

“I’m very appreciative of everything they’ve done for me.”

Hampo's Youth Foundation is named after Liam Hampson.

Making a difference

Redcliffe State High School student Ayden Waters is joining the program for 2025. Kahn will remain connected to the foundation and be invited to be an ambassador and alumni.

Two students from Keebra Park State High School will join fellow student Tomasi Vaitai, who has been mentored by AJ Brimson through the program this year and will continue in 2025.