Ski For Life

Ski for Life is a community-led initiative supporting rural mental health and suicide prevention. ​

Through our grants program, we fund and support community groups to deliver practical projects that promote wellbeing and connection across regional Australia.

Each year, our annual three-day water skiing relay brings people together to raise awareness and funds, helping turn shared experiences into real impact. ​

Building stronger and more connected communities.

A little bit of context

Our aim? To water ski a huge distance to shed some light on mental health and suicide in the hope to prevent the already widespread epidemic and reducing its impact on the ones we love and strangers alike. Picture this… a long weekend in South Australia where people from all over Australia come together to water ski as teams 456km along the Mighty Murray River. Starting at Murray Bridge and skiing to Renmark in just 3 days. There is food galore, camping along the way, epic fun (and some epic stacks too!), water fights, singalongs, deep and meaningfuls and a whole lot of purpose. 

But the thing is…

We’re taking on a BIG issue. Much bigger than the 456km stretch we ski. Much bigger than the 400 or so people we have involved and a hell of a lot bigger than three days of the year. Depression, anxiety and other mental health conditions do not discriminate and often they do not rest.

Here’s what we’re doing about it

The Ski For Life weekend is an annual event now in its 13th year but we know our impact needs to be consistent and long-lasting. Your donation will support much-needed Ski for Life funded projects in Rural and Regional Communities throughout Australia and Co-Funding Community programs through our Grant Program Application Process. 

Ski for Life’s Mates on a Mission (Riverland SA, Upper North SA, Wee Waa NSW) Ski for Life’s Talkin’ Tough podcast. Real Life Resilience – Jamestown SA, secondary schools mentoring and resilience programs, Just a Farmer community Screenings. Kick Off Your Boots theatre production community events. Mental Health and Wellbeing Expo. Drought Resilience Community Events, mental health guest speakers. These are just a sample of Ski for Life Funded projects. 

You can help us, help others.

Our target, $300,000 in 2026 will be directed to initiatives tackling mental health and suicide prevention across Rural and Regional Australia with additional funds supporting the initiative which is “Ski for Life” the unique 3-day event of mateship and family engagement promoting wellbeing and community involvement along the 456 km journey.

So, from the bottom of our hearts, thank you!

You’re helping us change the trajectory of mental health and suicide rates in Australia. We, and those who these issues touch, cannot thank you enough