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Sione ‘Johnny’ Fekeila
Raised
$91.04
My Goal
$1,000
About
The Bail Out event has been designed to raise awareness of the complex realities many young people face, including trauma, disadvantage, and pathways that can lead to youth detention.
in Australia, it costs $3,635 per day to keep a young person in detention, compared to $9.78 a day to provide a young person with a Volunteer Mentor.
in Australia, it costs $3,635 per day to keep a young person in detention, compared to $9.78 a day to provide a young person with a Volunteer Mentor.
To support this cause, We're getting locked up, and we need your help to raise my bail! All funds will go towards helping young people find life-changing connections and build a brighter future.
Here's How It Works:
Experience Jail Life
Upon arrival, Inmates will be stripped of their possessions, given a prison uniform, fingerprinted, photographed, and fed prison gruel in the exercise yard.
Fundraising Goals:
Supermax Inmate: Raise $5000 for release
Cellblock Inmate: Raise $1000 for release
Cellblock Inmate: Raise $1000 for release
This unique experience will help bring attention to the urgent need for mentorship programs, highlighting the stark contrast between the high costs of detention and the relatively low costs of preventive mentoring.
Event Details:
Date: 29 May 2026
Location: Gundagai Gaol | U159 Sheridan St, Gundagai
Help me make a difference in the lives of young people by donating to my bail fund. Together, we can support Big Brothers Big Sisters and help more young people find the guidance they need.
Donate now and help the Inmates from Gundagai Gaol!
My Story
I am fundraising for my favourite charity. Please help me raise money for this great cause!
Journey
15/04/26 9:30pm
I was born in the Pacific Islands and moved to New Zealand at a young age, where I experienced challenges, cultural differences and hardship. During that time, I found myself a bit lost—caught up in street life, anger and negative influences. It was a path that could have taken me in the wrong direction, but I was fortunate to have people step in who supported and guided me.
Sport, particularly Rugby League, began to play a big role in my life at that stage - it gave me discipline, direction, and a sense of purpose. I also developed a passion for cooking and went on to work as a chef, which gave me another positive focus and direction. With that support and focus, I was able to turn things around and build a positive path in life, which eventually led me to Australia. Those experiences shaped who I am today, teaching me resilience, respect, and the importance of having the right people in your corner.
Sport, particularly Rugby League, began to play a big role in my life at that stage - it gave me discipline, direction, and a sense of purpose. I also developed a passion for cooking and went on to work as a chef, which gave me another positive focus and direction. With that support and focus, I was able to turn things around and build a positive path in life, which eventually led me to Australia. Those experiences shaped who I am today, teaching me resilience, respect, and the importance of having the right people in your corner.
Not every young person gets the same opportunities or guidance along the way.
In my current role working within the juvenile justice system, and through my previous 19 years working at Junee Correctional Centre, I see firsthand the challenges many young people face—disadvantage, trauma, and a lack of positive influences. I also see how easily things can go off track when there isn’t someone there to guide them.
What stands out to me is that many of these young people don’t need punishment—they need connection.
They need someone who believes in them. Someone who shows up and guides them.
That’s why this cause means so much to me. It costs thousands each day to keep a young person in detention, yet for a fraction of that, we can connect them with a mentor who could completely change their path.
I’m taking part in the Bail Out Gundagai to help raise awareness and funds so more young people in our area have access to that kind of support. Because I truly believe that with the right guidance, every young person has the potential to turn their life around.
Donations
$20.80
Cruz and Ava
on 22/04/26 5:45pm
I hope you raise enough money to get bailed out!
I hope you raise enough money to get bailed out!
$50.24
Ian Robertson
on 20/04/26 10:40am
$20.00
Sienna Fekeila
on 16/04/26 3:52pm
Proud of you dad x
Proud of you dad x
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Australia
