Yianni Stefandakis has been working with Balanced Choice Program for almost 5 years and has a background in the fitness industry and working with young people. Yianni has completed his Certificate 3 and 4 in Fitness and has been a Sports Coach for many years. Passionate about his work in the Northern Territory and inspired to support other young people in other states, Yianni has supported the National growth of Balanced Choice in South Australia as our SA State Manager.
Staff
Adam Drake
CEO/Founder
Adam Drake is the founder of Balanced Choice Program. With over 25 years’ experience working with youth, 15 years working in the fitness industry, a trained actor and director, Adam has utilised his diverse knowledge and experience to develop tailored workshops that help connect people with each other, strengthen fitness from within and inspire people to find that path that leads to the best version of themselves. Adam was nominated for Australian of the Year NT in 2019 for his work with young people in the youth justice system and his work in the adult system and providing a through care model with the Balanced Choice Program.
Breanna Duncan
National Business Manager & amp; Program Facilitator
Breanna Duncan is the National Business Manager for Balanced Choice and one of our dedicated program facilitators. Born and raised in Darwin NT, Breanna has a passion for working alongside people, hearing their stories and cheering them on. Her experience working with youth and families, her compassion and creativity has added a broader skill set to Balanced Choice where she hopes to support both our staff and all people we work with to achieve the best version of themselves.
Breanna has a Bachelor of Behavioural Science, a Graduate Certificate in Developmental Trauma and is currently studying her Masters of Social Work.
Yianni Stefanidakis
SA State Manager
Jason MacDonald
Vic state manager
Jason MacDonald has been with Balanced Choice for just under 4 years. Studying a combination of science and arts with his Certificate 3 in Fitness, he has been on an incredible fitness journey where he hiked Papua New Guinea’s Kokoda trail, the Himalaya’s Uttarakhand trek and gained a plethora of experience working with youth through United Nations Youth, Variety the Children’s Charity, and varying Youth Leadership Positions. His love for community engagement has seen him supporting organisations in India and Malaysia through programs such as ‘World Challenge’ and participating in the NT Youth Round Table in 2018.
Yvonne Neave
Darwin & amp; Palmerston NT Program Facilitator
Yvonne Neave is one of our program facilitators for the Darwin region. Born and raised in Darwin NT, Yvonne is passionate about sports and helping people. An avid fan of netball, touch footy and motorbike riding, Yvonne is studying her Certificate III in Fitness to collate her knowledge and experience. Her dedication is matched by her enthusiasm to work with people as shown through her kind heart and diverse skill set from working remotely in Jabiru, working with children in schools, working with high-risk mental health young people, working with NDIS and playing sports.
Ollie Mau
Darwin & amp; PAlmerston NT Program Facilitator
Ollie is a dedicated member of the Balanced Choice crew who has been working alongside our great team for a few years. Currently studying a degree in Sports Science to further support his extensive experience and knowledge Ollie has completed a Certificate 4 in Community Service Work, a Certificate 3 and 4 in Correctional Practices, and a Certificate 3 in Fitness. Ollie was able to secure positions that have supplied him immense occupational knowledge. His compassion has been developed and nurtured as he worked as a House Parent for 9 and a half years with indigenous students from remote communities throughout the NT. His relevant training does not fall short of any marks either with 5 years as a correctional officer and 4 years as a gym instructor to support his already convincing personality full of love and hope.
Connor francis
SA Program Facilitator
Connor Francis is one of our program facilitators for South Australia. Born and raised in Darwin he moved to South Australia to pursue a Bachelor of Networking and Cybersecurity at Flinders University alongside studying his Certificate III in Fitness. Connor holds a strong passion for Technologies and Digital media, having won the ETANT reel shorts competition for films he had written and directed consecutively in 2016 and 2017. He carries through that passion to the people we work with, as Connor holds a firm belief in the positive effects of self-expression through digital mediums.
Dylan Barry
Alice Springs NT Program Facilitator
Joining the Balanced Choice Team at the start of 2022,Dylan was born in Alice springs, moved down to SA for his education and returned to his Centralian home after completing year 12 to work in education for many years. He is extremley passionate about his work with young people and continues his journey of growth and learning everyday. Dylan loves his hometown of Alice Springs and supports those he works with to become the best versions of themselves, he embodies this mentality himself and hopes thattogether everyone can improve their community.”We walk this journey together”
Melanie Gunner
SA Program Facilitator
Melanie Gunner joined the Balanced Choice team as our Alice Springs facilitator and has since made her way down to Adelaide. With over 5 years of experience working in the youth sector in Alice Springs, Melanie is passionate about young people, their mental health and their extraordinary talents. Her involvement within the community has been recognised through her position as Chair of the 2020 NT Youth Round Table, winning the 2020 Young Persons’ Award at the Mental Health Week Community Awards, being nominated for the 2020 Young Centralian Citizen and recurring finalist for two NT Young Achievers awards since 2019. Alongside her work with young people, Melanie finds creative ways to better her community as a local contemporary artist and has completed several murals around her hometown.
Shane Ferguson
Accounts and Finance Manager
Shane joined Balanced Choice in 2021 as Accounts and Finance manager. He has had many jobs over the years, his previous role before Balanced Choice was as a corrections officer for nine years. He brings to the role years of wisdom and passion for change. He hopes to one-day also become a facilitator as well as continuing to support the business with managing the Accounts and finances.
His motto is, “nothing changes if nothing changes” and aims to live this on a daily basis. He is also enjoying supporting the opening up of the Balanced Choice program in Queensland.
Brendon Clarke
Darwin & amp; Palmerston NT Program Facilitator
Born in Katherine and raised in Darwin, Brendon is a young and proud Kamu man from the Daly River region with a burning desire to lift up the community while breaking cycles and setting new standards. He is a mental health ambassador for the I Am Here Foundation. Just like the rest of the team, Brendon shares a passion for strengthening the body and conditioning the mind.”I love boxing, and I love being uncomfortable!”
Peta mayall
Research and Administration
Peta joined Balanced Choice in 2023. She has extensive experience working as a Librarian in corporate, educational, and public libraries. She has a passion for helping people connect, grow, learn, and share their stories. Peta believes everyone has a story that matters and feels privileged to hear, share, and celebrate the valuable work that the crew is undertaking.
Kelsey Ferguson
Queensland Business Manager
Kelsey has recently joined the Balanced Choice Crew as Queenslands business manager. Before arriving at BC she spent 7 years working in corporations Suncorp and most recently 5 years for Apple in a management role. She also holds a wealth of experience in working side by side with people and running group sessions with her background as a Childbirth Educator and Doula. She is so excited to bring more of the Balanced Choice work and program to her hometown and region of Queensland.