The fourth KFC Rally 4 Youth kicks off in Shepparton.
Photo by
Hailey Wight
Forty-two cars hit the road on Thursday to help drive youth mental health funding forward as KFC’s Rally 4 Youth kicked off in Shepparton.
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The three-day rally departed Shepparton on October 15, with a convoy ranging from pre-1980s classics to modern sports cars and KFC-branded vehicles travelling through Echuca, Yarrawonga, Albury, Beechworth and Wangaratta before returning to Shepparton on Saturday.
The event will help push the KFC Youth Foundation closer to its goal of raising $15 million by the end of 2026, with more than $14.2 million already raised since the organisation’s inception.
This year, the foundation is also bringing the rally’s impact closer to home, partnering with the Greater Shepparton Lighthouse Project for the first time.
A third of the funds raised at this year’s rally will go to the Lighthouse Project, with the rest of the funds helping support national charity partners ReachOut Australia and the Black Dog Institute.
Western Australia's Neil Redfearn, Trevor Hess and Queensland’s Luke Paul who will be driving a Ford XB GT Falcon for this year’s rally.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
KFC franchisee and Rally 4 Youth organiser Jacqui Retzos said the local partnership was an opportunity to support young people in the community.
“Given that we are based here in Shepparton and our workforce is predominantly in this community, we want to reach out to community-based partners and show our support at community level,” she said.
“We know what the Lighthouse Project can do and what they do within our region and the reach that they will have with their work.”
Ms Retzos said youth mental health was a cause close to the KFC family’s heart, with most of its workforce aged between 16 and 25.
“It’s so important that we are helping to look after the people that help run our business. We wouldn’t be here without those people, and helping them is at the forefront of everything,” she said.
KFC franchisee and Rally 4 Youth organiser Jacqui Retzos having some fun in the family’s modified KFC golf buggy.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
Lighthouse Project board chair Adam Furphy said the partnership reflected a shared commitment to supporting young people and building healthier communities.
“We’re proud to be part of Rally 4 Youth and excited to come together with the KFC Youth Foundation and the wider community to celebrate and support the young people who are at the heart of what we do,” he said.
Lighthouse Project executive officer Amy Robinson said the funding would help support the organisation’s youth space and its Open Dialogue program, which focuses on long-term preventative support.
“For us, this funding support is critical,” she said.
Ms Robinson said mental health was among the community’s major concerns, particularly following the isolation and loneliness experienced during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ms Retzos said the rally was also an opportunity for the KFC family, suppliers and site builders to go for a spin.
“We have a lot of fun,” she said.
With three days of driving ahead, she said they were hoping for a smooth journey, with fingers crossed for no breakdowns.
Greater Shepparton Lighthouse Project chair Adam Furphy, KFC franchisee and Rally 4 Youth organiser Jacqui Retzos and Lighthouse executive officer Amy Robinson were excited to join forces for KFC’s fourth Rally 4 Youth.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
East Shepparton Plumbing owner Leo Buonomo with his wife Sophie Buonomo who are ready to set off on the three-day drive.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
KFC franchisee's and Rally 4 Youth organisers Chris Retzos and Jacqui Retzos smile at the camera.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
Chief Operating Officer, KFC Toby Camilleri and People and Culture Director, KFC South Pacific Adam Ottavi are excited to be involved this year.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
KFC Rally 4 Youth puts the pedal to the medal for a good cause.
Photo by
Hailey Wight
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