Melissa Abu-Gazaleh,
Founder and Managing Director
Melissa Abu-Gazaleh, crowned the 2017 EY Social Entrepreneur of the Year and 2016 NSW Young Australian of the Year, is a trailblazer in reshaping young male mental health in Australia. At 19, she noticed so many young men around her masking their pain and mental health issues through drugs, alcohol, risk-taking and self-harm. Alarmed by the high rates of youth crime, alcohol-related violence, and suicide among young men, Melissa saw an urgent need to enhance their social and emotional wellbeing.
In 2006, Melissa founded the Top Blokes Foundation, a charity dedicated to transforming the lives of boys and young men through innovative, evidence-based peer mentoring and social education programs. Since then, the team’s work has significantly boosted the mental health and wellbeing of over 20,000 young males.
Proud to be recognised as
EY Social Entrepreneur of the Year – 2017
NSW Young Australian of the Year from the National Australia Day Council – 2016
IMB Bank’s Young Entrepreneur of the Year (Illawarra) – 2015
Volunteer of the Year (Illawarra) – 2014
Speaking
As a sought-after speaker, Melissa has shared her insights and inspired change at leadership, business, men’s health and youth conferences and events. Her dynamic and inspiring talks have mobilised countless Australians to join in nurturing a new generation of ‘Top Blokes,’ committed to positive change and community leadership.
Book MelissaA history of Top Blokes
Melissa Abu-Gazaleh established the Top Blokes Awards, recognising young males who volunteered and inspired others to reach their full potential in the Illawara community.
2006
Melissa founded Top Blokes Foundation.
2011
The first Top Blokes young male mentoring program was launched, focusing on boys and young men aged 14-17 years old.
2012
The second mentoring program was launched, focusing on 16-24 year old young men.
2013
Top Blokes expanded to Lake Macquarie, Western Sydney and the Central Coast of NSW.
2017
The third young male mentoring program launched, focusing on boys aged 10-13 years old.
2018
Top Blokes expanded to Queensland.
2020
The Graduate Club was launched for all Top Blokes mentoring program alumni, reaching 15,000 boys and young men. Plus, Top Blokes Foundation was recognised as Australian Charity of the Year.
2022
Celebrated mentoring 20,000 boys and young men.
2023
Top Blokes launches the Youth Ambassador Council in order to amplify young males voices and empower them to lead within their communities.
2024
Celebrated mentoring 25,000 boys and young men.
2024
Top Blokes presents a submission to the NSW Loneliness Inquiry, centring the voices of young men and calling for stronger, earlier intervention to reduce social isolation.
2025
Top Blokes contributes youth voices to the NSW Parliamentary Inquiry into harmful pornography, ensuring young men’s lived experiences shape the state’s understanding of its impacts.
2025
Latest news and updates
Community StoryWhy Seth is Lifting the Load for Others
8 October 2026
For Seth, the 10kg vest he is carrying this October represents something much heavier. “The vest represents the load that young men feel from mental health, and it’s something we can take off, but they can’t.” Seth is a former Top Blokes participant from Dungog High School. This year, he has signed up for Lift […]
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Community Fundraising50KM. 10KG. $50,000.
6 October 2026
Top Blokes Foundation ambassadors Dr Justin Coulson and Kieran Foran will carry 10kg for 50km in a single day this World Mental Health Day, aiming to each raise $50,000 to help more boys and young men get the support, skills and connections they need early. On Saturday 10 October, parenting expert Dr Justin Coulson and […]
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Community FundraisingThe boys’ influence on each other positively impacts the community.
30 September 2026
Vin, for anyone who hasn’t heard of it, what is Lift the Load? Lift the Load for Mental Health is a month-long challenge to wear a 10kg vest and walk or run 50km across October. It symbolises helping lift the weight of mental health that young men around us in our community carry every day. […]
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