Armed with these experiences, and an empathy and understanding of the challenges many young people face, Ross developed a drive to make a difference in the lives of disadvantaged and marginalised young males.

Through being involved with community organisations, Ross began working with Youth Groups and quickly found he had a passion to help other young males who were lacking support and in need of positive male role models to guide healthier life choices.

While at the Youth Group, a colleague recognised Ross’ ability to connect with males with extreme behaviours, as well as young offenders, which led to a role with Youth Justice. This was an eye-opener. After some early challenges, Ross quickly identified that building trusting relationships with young people was the foundation for positive change. By wanting to understand each young person’s journey, and why many were repeat offenders, Ross identified that additional supports could be offered to help support them within the system, which would complement the work the Department was already practicing.

These supports came in the form of Mentoring and engaging young people in activities that interested them, like long surf trips to the Sunshine Coast. With a supportive and therapeutic approach, Ross saw many positive changes in the young people he was working with, and they began to channel their energy more positively.

Out of these foundations, HYPAR was born. After gaining some early momentum, Ross quickly assembled a team of like-minded Youth Workers to offer male-to-male Mentoring to young people within the Youth Justice system, with a support service built on trusting relationships and consistency of support. Since its inception in 2008, HYPAR has grown to support young people from all walks of life and abilities, and offers Mentoring, Supported Independent Living, and Disability Support to young males seeking independence and personal wellbeing.

Next in the HYPAR Group evolution was HYPAR Residential Care. Through work with Child Safety and in youth crisis housing, Ross again noticed that many of the young people who were in care, or hard to place due to their significant behaviour issues, were male. They were also commonly raised by single parents and lacked positive male role models in their lives. This again ignited a spark in Ross, as he delved into research surrounding attachment theory, early childhood trauma, and mental health issues related to abandonment, most notably from the works of John Bowlby, Daniel J. Siegal, and Bruce Perry.

A further step in the evolution came when the Department of Child Safety was working on a long-term housing solution for a Young Person who was being Mentored by HYPAR. Based on the level of care, the strength of relationship, and the positive outcomes the Young Person was already experiencing with HYPAR, the Department invited HYPAR to become a Child Safety licensed care organisation.

HYPAR Residential Care was established in 2017, beginning with the support of a single young person. From those early foundations, we have grown alongside the young people we serve, now supporting over 20 young people across multiple homes throughout South East Queensland. HYPAR Residential Care’s identity — grounded in relationships and a consistent worker model — was shaped through the journey we shared with that very first young person. We are grateful for the strong support of the Department during these early years and continue to collaborate closely to achieve the best outcomes for each young person. 

In 2018, the HYPAR Group responded to the evolving interests and needs of our young people by introducing HYPAR Wild — specialising in outdoor mentorship and adventure activities. Inspired by early surfing trips on the Sunshine Coast and strengthened by research and conversations with industry experts, HYPAR Wild was created to offer young people the opportunity to experience the outdoors as a platform for self-expression, growth, and connection. 

Built on relationships and play, HYPAR Wild now supports individuals, groups, organisations, and programs across all genders and ages to embrace the benefits of outdoor experiences. Guided by the changing needs of those we support, HYPAR Group has continued to evolve. In 2023, we broaden our service offering, providing additional supports for females and sibling groups within the Child Safety system, ensuring more young people can access safe and nurturing environments. 

In April 2025, we expanded our HYPAR disability support services in response to the evolving needs and voices of our participants. While continuing to offer our established male-to-male support stream — which remains a valuable option for many — we broadened our service model to welcome and support individuals of all genders. This development reflects our ongoing commitment to ensuring that every person accessing our services receives care that is responsive, individualised, and grounded in what works best for them. As with all areas of the HYPAR Group, this expansion is underpinned by our core values of Relationships, Valuing People, Leadership, Encouragement and Reflection.

At the heart of every HYPAR service is a commitment to our shared values of Relationships, Leadership, Reflection, Valuing People, and Encouragement. Our team reflects the diversity of the communities we serve, reflected in positions across every level of the organisation — ensuring a richness of perspectives and experiences. 

Looking ahead, we are excited to continue growing the HYPAR Group across Queensland. Staying true to our foundations, we remain focused on building genuine relationships and helping each participant reach their full potential.