Member for Gosford, Liesl Tesch (centre right) with members of Musicians Making a Difference.

9 September 2026

MUSICIANS MAKING A DIFFERENCE (MMAD) is doing just as the name suggests and has been awarded $40,000 in funding through the NSW Government's Community Safety Investment Fund to deliver The Bridge Project: Creative Intervention for At-Risk Youth across the Central Coast.

MMAD, a Gosford-based not-for-profit with more than two decades of dedicated service to young people on the Central Coast, uses music, mentoring and creative practice to reach young people experiencing mental health challenges, social isolation, and disengagement; those who often find it difficult to access more traditional forms of support.

Through The Bridge Project, MMAD will work collaboratively with schools, youth organisations and mental health providers on the Coast to engage young people who are at risk of disengagement or offending.

Member for Gosford, Liesl Tesch MP said the grant recognises MMAD's proven approach to supporting vulnerable youth through music, creative arts, mentoring and therapeutic engagement.

“This funding is a significant investment in the lives of young people across our region,” Ms Tesch said. “It will allow MMAD to expand its intervention programs and reach more young people at a critical point in their lives.”

CEO Dominic Brook said MMAD is incredibly grateful for the investment, which will help build a safer and more connected community for everyone.

“Music has an incredible ability to connect with young people in ways that other approaches sometimes can't,” Mr Brook said.

“It creates trust, opens conversations and gives young people a sense of belonging and ownership.

“Combined with mentoring, it becomes a powerful tool for helping young people build confidence and realise their potential.”

The Government’s Community Safety Investment Fund is investing almost $5 million over two years in locally led initiatives across NSW that help prevent youth offending, strengthen families and improve community safety.

Ms Tesch highlighted the important role community organisations play in delivering practical, locally informed support that address the underlying causes of youth offending and helps young people build stronger connections to education, employment, culture, family and community.