Bail Out Gundagai is back for 2026 off the back of its success in 2025. Hosted by BBBS Tumut at Old Gundagai Gaol, the event raises awareness of the complex realities many young people face that can lead to youth detention. Through this immersive event, participants gain insight in to the impact of detention and the role mentoring plays in helping young people build positive futures.
Did you know it costs $3,635 per day to keep a young person in detention, compared to just $9.78 per day to connect a young person with a volunteer mentor?
Bail Out Gundagai is back for 2026 after a successful event in 2025 where 18 participants raised $28K for Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) Tumut. The event aims to raise awareness and education around Australian Youth Detention, and the many complex pathways that can lead young people into detention, as well as raise funds to create more positive mentor and mentee relationships with BBBS in the Tumut region.
On Friday, May 29 from 4.30pm-10pm at the Old Gundagai Gaol, up to 20 participants will be immersed in the event where they experience ‘life behind bars’ for a few hours. They’ll be stripped of their possessions, issued a prison uniform, fingerprinted, have their mug shot taken and placed in cells. They’ll also participate in different activities throughout the event and hear powerful testimony from guests with lived experience of the justice system.
Participants will work to ‘raise their bail’ in the lead up to the event – and will be released from the gaol at the end, with a celebratory dinner afterwards at The Criterion.
Emma Peacock from Big Brothers Big Sisters Tumut says last year’s event was a huge success and she is looking forward to another success in 2026.
“It’s really amazing to see people progress through the event, from turning up and thinking ‘this will be a bit of fun’ to leaving with a deeper understanding of the system, of privilege and having a bit of an ‘aha’ moment. It’s a very special and unique event and is something great to be a part of.”
“Last year we had both Cootamundra/Gundagai Mayor Abb McAlister and Snowy Valleys Mayor Julia Ham participate. Julia said that it was the most thought provoking event she had attended in her 8 years of council,” said Emma.
Last year’s participants also included local Councillors, teachers, local business owners, BBBS Mentors and community champions.
“Participants can sign up individually, or they can sign up as a team and fundraise together – so this is great for friends, and also for workplaces who might want to do something with their team that’s giving back the community,” said Emma.
Any funds raised from the event will go back into BBBS Tumut and help to create alternative pathways for young people.
Emma said in the Gundagai region, she is looking for young girls who are in need of a mentor, and for male mentors – so now is the perfect time to get in touch if you are wanting to get involved.
“I have 3 female mentors in Gundagai who are either ready or nearly ready to mentor but no young girls currently on the waiting list – so now is a great time to get in touch if you know a young girl aged 7-17 who would benefit from a supportive adult in her life.”
“I also have 4 young boys on the Gundagai waiting list who are all looking for a positive male role model. Two of these boys have been waiting for 12 months, so if there’s any men in the Gundagai area who have an hour or two to spare one day a week to hang out with a young boy, go fishing, go for a walk, kick a footy or even just go for a milkshake, get in touch,” said Emma.
The event is sponsored by Ray White Tumut, and the CGRC are helping cover the hire cost of the Old Gundagai Gaol for the event. Participants must be aged 18 and over.
For further information or if you would like to participate, sponsor someone, or simply learn more, please contact Emma Peacock directly at emma.peacock@bbbsau.org or 0491 891 507.
– Emily Flint
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