Old Gundagai Gaol will play host to the first ever regional “Bail Out” In May with “inmates” so far including Cootamundra-Gundagai Regional Council Mayor Abb McAlister and Snowy Valleys Mayor Julia Ham. Photo: Gundagai Visitor Information Centre.
A cold metal bench, a bowl of prison gruel, a striped jumpsuit and a mock interrogation by a stern prison guard might sound like something out of a crime drama — but next month in Gundagai, it will be all part of an unforgettable community fundraiser with a serious mission at its heart.
For the first time ever in a regional town, Big Brothers Big Sisters Australia (BBBS) is bringing its immersive Bail Out event to the historic Old Gundagai Gaol — and organisers are calling on locals to step behind bars for a few hours to help change a young person’s life.
Participants, dubbed “inmates”, will swap comfort for confinement on the night of 2 May, raising at least $1000 each in ‘bail’ to secure their release.
From fingerprinting and mug shots to a serving of prison gruel and a stint in the “exercise yard” to their eventual emancipation later that night, it’s a light-hearted experience with a deeply meaningful goal: raising vital funds to support vulnerable young people through one-on-one mentoring.
BBBS is a national youth mentoring organisation that connects young people aged seven to 17 with positive adult role models. Through consistent, one-on-one relationships, mentors help build confidence, emotional resilience and a sense of belonging.
In regional communities like Tumut (just down the road from Gundagai) that support is more critical than ever.
Launched in July 2022, BBBS Tumut has already created 23 mentor-mentee matches, hosted more than 25 community events and built strong partnerships with Tumut High School and local businesses.
Behind that growth is local coordinator Emma Peacock, who stepped into a full-time role in 2024 to meet rising demand.
But that demand for mentoring continues to outpace resources.
“Right now, more than a dozen young people in Tumut are still waiting for a mentor,” she said.
Supporting one young person with a BBBS mentor costs about $3600 per year, a fraction of the $1500 per day it costs to keep the same young person in youth detention.
Independent research shows that every $1 invested in BBBS generates $23 in social return, through reduced offending, better school engagement and stronger long-term outcomes.
But BBBS programs don’t receive regular government funding. They rely on community support, including grants and fundraisers like Bail Out.
Thanks to a recent $10,000 grant from Snowy Hydro and more than $21,000 raised locally, the Tumut program has trained 14 new mentors and matched six additional young people with a mentor. Still, there’s a growing waitlist and plans to expand into Gundagai, Adelong, and Batlow make ongoing fundraising crucial.
That’s where the Gundagai event comes in.
The inmate roster already includes Cootamundra-Gundagai Regional Council Mayor Abb McAlister, Snowy Valleys Mayor Julia Ham, Sarah Norris from Snowy Hydro, local teachers, BBBS mentors and representatives from event sponsor Ray White.
But organisers are calling for more “inmates” to help meet the fundraising target.
“This isn’t just about dressing up or playing pretend,” said Emma. “It’s about raising awareness of the challenges facing young people in regional communities and showing them that people care.”
The event will offer plenty of fun, too.
“The idea is to ‘raise your bail’ to be released from prison,” Emma said. “We’ll help you set up a fundraising page and provide support for social media promotion, so you can spread the word. But if you don’t quite make your bail, don’t worry — we won’t make you sleep in the gaol!”
After serving their “time,” participants will celebrate with real food, drinks, and conversations, all while knowing they’ve made a difference.
“This is an event like no other,” Emma said. “It’s immersive and gets you out of your comfort zone, giving you a taste of life behind bars while raising awareness about youth detention. But it’s not all bad — we’ll break out and head to the pub for dinner at the end!
“Grab a group of friends and form a team — the more the merrier and the louder the prison yard banter,” she said.
To register, contact Emma Peacock at [email protected] or to find out more, head to their website.
Other 2025 Bail Out events are being held at Melbourne’s Pentridge Prison, the Old Adelaide Gaol, and Sydney’s Yasmar Detention Centre.
