Moe Racing Club has long played an active role in supporting its local community, and the launch of Tools Down, Heads Up marks a significant step forward in that commitment. Designed to support the mental health and well-being of apprentices and young workers, the initiative responds directly to challenges being felt across the Latrobe Valley.
The program was born from a clear gap. While sporting clubs provide strong social connections and support, many young people—particularly apprentices and trainees—are not involved in sport and can miss out on those networks. At the same time, Moe Racing Club was witnessing the devastating impact of youth suicide within the region. These were not abstract statistics, but young people known to families, friends and workplaces in the community.
Combined with the financial pressure, workplace stress and limited access to structured support often faced by young workers, the need for action became clear. As an organisation already deeply invested in community benefit, the Club sought a practical and relatable way to reach this group.
Tools Down, Heads Up was developed to meet young people where they are — on worksites, in trades, kitchens and salons — providing meaningful conversations, relatable role models and practical life skills early in their careers.
Through engagement with apprentices, employers and training organisations, consistent themes emerged. Many young workers enter physically demanding jobs straight from school, adjusting to long hours and new environments without the support systems they once had.
Mental health is a key concern. Many apprentices struggle to recognise when they are not coping, and a lingering culture of “just get on with it” can discourage open conversations or help-seeking. Financial pressure also plays a major role, with some young workers earning money without the skills to manage it, while others feel social pressure despite lower wages.
Each session runs for around three hours and is designed to feel relaxed and accessible. Participants begin with a shared breakfast, allowing time to settle in, connect and feel comfortable. Guest speakers and facilitators deliver practical, engaging content grounded in real-life experience, focusing on takeaways that participants can apply in their everyday lives.
Feedback from apprentices and employers has been overwhelmingly positive. Employers have actively promoted the program and supported attendance, while apprentices have engaged strongly with the format and selected future session topics themselves. Looking ahead, Moe Racing Club hopes to expand Tools Down, Heads Up into East Gippsland, with longer-term ambitions to deliver the program more broadly across Victoria—creating lasting impact for individuals, workplaces and communities.
