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Gary Diprose, the founder of the youth training organisation Springboard, based at Sheepworld in Warkworth, will stand down as managing director in September.
Springboard is a wrap-around service that delivers education, wellbeing and employment programmes for more than 400 young people every year.
Gary says it is time to let the organisation’s next chapter be led by the next generation of leaders.
“I always wanted to ensure that Springboard would not falter when the founder moved on and for five years now, our team has been putting systems and people in place to ensure that the transition would be as seamless as possible,” he said.
“We are now settled after four years at Sheepworld and are planning the next five to 10 years.”
Thousands of young people have passed through Springboard since seven young people started an Alternative Education programme with Gary in 2002.
“That was the start of my journey of what it really looked like to walk in the shoes of a young person who had given up hope on themselves.
“It has been a journey with lots of fun, learning, connections with incredible people, moments laced with pride, wonder and at times frustrations.
“It has been a privilege over these 24 years to serve North Rodney. We have seen so many radical life changes over the years and have witnessed the massive growth to what Springboard looks like today.”
Gary says he is proud that Sheepworld will always be a resource for training and developing young people for generations to come.
His last day will be September 30, when chief executive Dan Gray and chief operations manager Stephanie Lane will jointly take over the leadership role.
