Energy Breakthrough Challenge

What is the Breakthrough Challenge?

The Energy Breakthrough Challenge is a joint initiative of the Country Education Partnership and Central Goldfields Shire Council. Their mission…

Their Mission

To inspire young Australians to embrace learning, be creative and innovative, and drive change through the power of collaboration; to celebrate human endeavour and achievement, to respect and care for the environment and our communities.

What They Believe

Curiosity, creativity, collaboration and human endeavour will always lead to innovative breakthroughs that benefit the wellbeing of humanity; and that young people are the future custodians of our Earth.

About

Kidzflip & The Breakthrough Challenge

Kidzflip now aims to participate in the Maryborough Energy Breakthrough Challenge annually.  This is a 24 hour human powered vehicle race.  Kidzflip enters two teams of eight local youth who are often referred by their school and are selected based on their involvement and interaction with Kidzflip.

Kidzflip organises weekly training sessions for the youth to prepare them both physically and mentally for the challenge.  

Through sponsorship, Kidzflip purchases and supplies the specialised state-of-the-art carts.  Through the experience we have witnessed young people achieving goals way beyond their imaginations, forging life long friendships, creating lifelong memories all which we hope contribute to building resilience and a strong foundation for their future.

How Kidzflip got involved in the Breakthrough Challenge:

Jason Azzopardi: 

“After attending the 2018 Energy Breakthrough Challenge as a volunteer, I knew that this would be my means to get youth involvement in the after school mental health program I had devised.

I attended Gisborne Secondary College and asked at an assembly “who would like to race a 10K billy cart for me?”. This resulted in 50 youth wanting to join the program, with the assistance of the school’s Welfare team 8 vulnerable students were selected (a mixture of boys and girls).  These youth started training with us twice a week, and the group has grown to 22 young people ranging from 11 – 22 years of age. They are a great group of kids that come from different demographics from within the community but they all have one common trait, they are the victims of bullying and suffer from youth mental health problems. They have been training now for 14 months together and the benefits to them as individuals and as a team is outstanding ranging from improved school attendance, willingness to seek assistance for themselves or others, and genuine participation with their own families’ which had been lacking in the past.” (2019)

What’s Involved for Kidzflip

Kidzflip looks forward to igniting the passion of young people involved in the Energy Breakthrough Challenge each year.  They have the opportunity not only to participate by being a riding competitor, but also to be involved in the preparation of the carts, raising of funds for equipment and involvement, documenting the experience and planning of all aspects of the team’s stay in Maryborough.

There are certain requirements and commitments we expect from our participants:

A commitment to the training program; (no experience needed)

To be encouraging, thoughtful and respectful to their peers and mentors;

To volunteer their time to community events (such as sausage sizzles) as deemed appropriate by the committee.

Preparation and involvement in the Energy Breakthrough Challenge requires many volunteers.  Roles of volunteers include providing training, supervision art training, maintenance of carts, transport of young people, assisting at fundraising events, purchase of supplies and insurance, engaging sponsors, organising accommodation and registration for events, encouragement and cheerleading, and the list goes on…

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The Carts

After much hard work and fantastic sponsorships, Kidzflip managed to secure four carts for participation in the Breakthrough Challenge in 2020, including two training carts and two competition carts.

The specialised carts are designed in ‘recombinant style’, ie: the rider is in a laid back reclining position.  This allows the carts to be shaped much like a bullet, which makes them aerodynamic.  Kidzflip has just taken delivery of two Hornet, Human Powered vehicles.  The Hornet’s durable and resilient chrome Molly chassis is skinned in the most advanced corflute fairing ever created.  

Kidzflip looks forward to engaging young people in not only powering the vehicle but also building and improving them.

How To Get Involved

At KidzFlip, we aim to help our young people build the skills they need to overcome challenges in their lives. We know that exercise, healthy eating and connectedness lead to good mental health outcomes and that this can be achieved in a fun, non judgemental and respectful environment. 

If you are a student in the Macedon Ranges and think the Breakthrough Challenge is for you, please use our contact us tab or message us directly through Facebook for more information.

If you would like to support this program, there are several ways to contribute. These range from sponsorship of carts, offering services and goods, as well as becoming an associate member of Kidzflip and volunteering your time.  Please see the volunteers tab for more information or contact us through the contact us tab or Facebook.

Please note all volunteers over 18yrs working with our youth must have a current Working With Children Check.

Our Sponsors

A project of this magnitude just simply could not go ahead without the support of our sponsors. Each and every sponsor has seen the tremendous value this program provides for our local youth and the positive impact it is making on our community in general. To them all, our heart felt thanks!

OUR SPONSOR LIST

1. Turnbuild Constructions
2. Imts laser Specialist.
3. Jayco
4. AkzoNobel
5. Sign Obsession
6. Lions International (Carisbrook and Romsey/Lancefield)
7. Melton Paints
8. Gisborne Self Storage
9. Schatzis Restaurant
10. Earth Track
11. Gisborne Football/Netball Club
12. Tylden Trim
13. Gisborne Pizza and Pasta
14. Benetas
15. Middy’s Gisborne
16. Gisborne Men’s Shed