PARADE COLLEGE
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On the morning of Wednesday 21 May, most of our Year 12 students attended a powerful and thought-provoking Gambling Awareness Presentation, an initiative organised by our Year 12 Wellbeing Prefect Committee - Luka Morabito B01, Jamie Geneopoulos T04 and William Beadle B06.

The Wellbeing Prefects are dedicated to addressing issues that impact the health and wellbeing of our student community. One area of increasing concern among young people is gambling and the associated risks, including financial harm, addiction, and mental health challenges. As student leaders, they recognised the importance of providing their peers with education and support around this topic.

The presentation featured Missy Ali, Senior Health Promotion Officer from Gambler’s Help, and a lived experience speaker who shared his compelling story of gambling addiction. His personal journey provided deep insight into the consequences of gambling and the impact it can have on individuals and families.

In addition to raising awareness, the session highlighted the importance of help-seeking behaviours and offered a range of resources for students who may be affected or know someone who is:

  • Gambler’s Help – 1800 858 858 (24/7 confidential support and referrals)
  • Gambler’s Help Northern – for local access to counselling or peer support
  • www.gamblershelp.com.au – information, support, and self-help tools

A Note for Parents and Guardians
Families play a key role in helping young people navigate the challenges of gambling. Open, non-judgemental conversations at home can make a significant difference. Some tips for talking with your child include:

  • Ask open-ended questions about their views or exposure to gambling (e.g. betting apps, online games, sports betting).
  • Share your concerns calmly and factually, focusing on wellbeing rather than punishment.
  • Encourage help-seeking if they or someone they know may be at risk.

This initiative reflects the thoughtful leadership of our Wellbeing Prefects and our ongoing commitment to promoting student wellbeing through education, awareness, and early intervention.



Cameron Elmore

Dean of Students- Year 11 and 12