MISSION: Transform young Australian’s into masters of their lives VISION: Every young Australian feels connected to themselves and each other
Our team dream of an Australia where the conversation surrounding mental health, adversity and personal challenge is normalised.
We are a charitable organisation that supports the decrease in mental health concerns though conversation and powerful facilitation, that empowers participants and communities towards major breakthroughs, focusing on providing the basis of strong communication skill sets.
As a team, we’ve seen over the course of our professional, and personal journeys, the significant role disconnection has in the breakdown of our mental health, and broader communities. Working towards prevention is crucial, and we believe the most impactful way to do this is to stimulate a proactive attitude from a grassroots level.
We want to create a generation of young Australians who understand how to authentically connect to themselves, each other and their passion in life by learning to become their own masters. Together we can create a population of Australians that lead fulfilled, healthy and inspiring lives.
DID YOU KNOW THE STORY OF OUR NAME?
“What does “Rogue and Rouge” even mean?” Is a question we get asked a lot. When our Founder, Nicole Gibson, was sitting on a mountain in Oyannaux (Lyon, France) on an exchange at 17 years old, she was dreaming about coming home to a different Australia. In the midst of anorexia nervosa, Nicole was frightened of returning back to a school community where she felt marginalised, and to friends and family that didn’t properly understand her battle. She dreamt of an Australia where mental health challenges weren’t stigmatised, and where tall-poppy syndrome was a thing of the past.
She began to think about what she could do to play her part in changing our culture for the better, and to help other teenagers that were facing disconnection and loneliness. Before she left the mountain, she made a commitment to herself. She promised to do whatever she could, whatever was in her power to passionatelyREBEL against Australia’s negative stereotypes. Soon after she return from her trip, on her 18th birthday, she founded The Rogue & Rouge Group.
ROGUE: [A rebel, a maverick] & ROUGE: [Means red in French: Red is often perceived as a powerful colour of passion and love.]
Testimonials
It was such a privilege to have Nicole visit our community. She has absolutely left such an imprint on those who were lucky enough to soak up her wisdom. I cannot speak highly enough of this young woman, she has truly inspired myself, our workplace and our community.
— Stevie Kuhn, Support FacilitatorCentacare North Queensland —
Nicole Gibson wants to make a change; she is determined to make a real difference. Through her personal experience she understands exactly the change she needs to make. Nicole is able to carefully dissect situations and provide me with a myriad of answers that propels me into new areas of thinking, not just about mental health but about the human condition. I always walk away with my thoughts reeling – not often an individual has this effect on me. Knowing what Nicole has been through, and the application of her unique way of thinking, makes it obvious why she has been so successful in getting to where she is today.
— Graz Van Egmond, Executive Director, The Banksia Foundation —
I was so inspired listening to Nicole’s story. To realise that someone the same age as me had achieved so much made me believe that I too could reach my goals, and kick started me to be where I am today. Nicole speaks with such a high degree of passion, she makes you a part of her story, and feeds you her message. I feel so honoured to have been a part of Nicole’s audience, and often share her incredible words with others I meet.
— Tamara Simone, RYLA 2016 —
Nicole was absolutely unwilling to accept the status quo. Unwilling to accept ‘that’s just the way things are’. She was going to change it. She embodies unstoppable. I felt my cynicism dissipating and my own passions fire up in the presence of her love and compassion for humanity, and her grab-your-sword warrior-hood for people having a voice and loving their lives. I’ll have what she’s having. Wow!
— Iva, Emerging Voices Leader QLD —
I’m not sure how to start this but I’ll just start with saying thank you. Today was the first day where I realised that I can consciously control my thinking, and isn’t that a crazy thought? Seeing you as a living, breathing example of someone who went out and accomplished dreams that were deemed ‘unrealistic’ is truly refreshing. Your talk was so riveting I did a little dance after – I am this able bodied human with so much potential! I have limbs! And a brain! And I am aware! And I can do things with these limbs and this brain and actually accomplish things and change self-sabotaging thinking. I was so inspired and moved, as if something actually dislodged itself inside me, and that is a sacred, sacred feeling – to think I can really be the best version of myself is a little scary but motivating.
— Lily Sinclair, Queensland Academy of Creative Industries —
Being in the same room as Nicole Gibson was being in the presence of a Big Bang. Not only the room, but the world seemed bigger and continued to grow bigger around her. The rawness and realness of this misleadingly petite woman was a bombshell. Shocking because it’s so rare!
— Audience Member, International Conference for Mental Health Nurses —
Your talk moved people to tears. There was a shift in my thinking after your presentation. Your inspirational words woke up the entire room to how our current response to mental illness is not working. What I took home was the current system needs tweaking. Every mental health worker should have training from you to see the illness for what it is; no stigma, just love.
— Simone Gillam, Sustainable Communities Conference, Port Lincoln South Australia —
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