Souths Cares Hits the Central West: Inspiring Communities, One School at a Time
Souths Cares, along with the South Sydney Rabbitohs, hit the road last week for an unforgettable trip through the Central West, visiting 11 schools across Dubbo, Wellington, and Mudgee. Over four days, the team visited up to 3,000 students, sharing important messages on Social Responsibility.
Leading the charge were Souths Cares Ambassadors Rhys Wesser, proud Iman/Ghangulu man, Yileen Gordon, proud Bundjalung and Gooreng Gooreng man and Lindsay Munro, proud Wiradjuri and Gamilaroi man. They were joined by current Rabbitohs players Ben Lovett and Gerome Burns, proud Wiradjuri man. Together, they delivered interactive workshops on Social Responsibility and spread plenty of smiles along the way!
Gerome Burns, Rabbitohs Player"It's special for me to be part of this program. Coming from a small country town, I know how much it means to these kids. Seeing their smiles and excitement when we arrive makes it all worthwhile."
The workshops focused on key topics:
- Social Responsibility – Helping students understand their role in the community and the importance of empathy and inclusion.
- Bullying – Breaking down what bullying is, its effects, and how to stand up against it.
- Racism – Encouraging students to recognize racism, support each other, and celebrate culture.
- Healthy Relationships – Talking about respect, consent, and building strong, positive relationships.
The energy from the schools throughout the tour was amazing — so many excited students, plenty of high-fives, hundreds of autographs, and plenty of photos snapped. But most importantly, meaningful conversations were had, and key lessons were taken away.
Rhys Wesser, Souths Cares Ambassador“The highlight for me was young people interacting and engaging with the presentation and asking questions about racism, bullying and how to have a healthy relationships. The kids are so eager to learn, and seeing their excitement reminds us why we do this".
Adding to the impact of the tour, The University of Sydney also joined along at different schools, running sessions with students on pathways to university. These sessions provided valuable insights and guidance for students considering their futures in higher education. Additionally, NRL development officers ran clinics for the kids to break up the sessions in schools, which the students absolutely loved. These interactive clinics gave students a chance to have fun, stay active, and further engage with the Rabbitohs players Ben & Gerome.
Souths Cares’ Central West Regional Tour is a reminder of how powerful sport can be in bringing communities together and making a real impact.
