Meet our Founders

Reach was established in 1994 by Jim Stynes OAM (AFL Brownlow Medalist, youth motivator, and Victorian of the Year 2003) and Australian film director, Paul Currie. Jim and Paul were two young men who recognised that too often the greatness in young people was hidden behind fear, anger or hurt. Reach was born from a desire to inspire every young person to believe in themselves and get the most out of life.

Jim Stynes

Born in Dublin, Jim Stynes was brought from Ireland to Australia in the mid 1980s as part of a Ron Barassi inspired program to recruit Irish footballers for the Melbourne Football Club. Described as ‘Australia’s most successful sporting experiment’, he played his first senior game in 1987 and retired 264 games later in 1998.

Jim has devoted his life to helping young Australians. In 1994 he co-founded The Reach Foundation with film director Paul Currie. Jim has received numerous awards for his work with Reach and in the community including Melbournian of the Year (2010), Order of Australia and Churchill Fellowship (2007), and Victorian of the Year (2001 and 2003).

On the football field, his honours include the 1991 Brownlow Medal and four Melbourne Football Club Best & Fairest awards (1991, 1994, 1995, 1997), equaling the club record. His most extraordinary achievement was playing an AFL record-breaking 244 consecutive games between Round 17 1987 and Round 4 1998. Jim was inducted into the AFL Hall of Fame in 2003.

Paul Currie

Co-Founder of Reach, Paul Currie, studied extensively in high-level performance psychology and actor training. As the founder of the Elliot Currie Drama Studios in Melbourne, Paul has a wealth of actor and theatrical directing, having trained some of Australia’s leading performers. Paul’s experience with, commitment to and understanding of young people was instrumental to Reach’s appeal and early success.

Paul’s work ranges from commercial and film directing to massive scale live events. He produced the feature film ‘Under the Gun’, directed the critically acclaimed documentary ‘Lionheart – The Jesse Martin Story’, and also served as ISIS Communications’ Creative Director for ‘World Reconciliation Day’, a live and filmed event that featured Nelson Mandela and Rubin ‘Hurricane’ Carter. Recently, Paul directed Every Heart Beats True: The Jim Stynes Story, as a personal tribute to his good friend, and Co-Founder of Reach, Jim Stynes.

Currently based in LA, Paul is the founding shareholder of Lightstream Films and brings innovative, emotive and sensory engaging solutions to all of his projects. With Lightstream Films, Paul is currently working on a number of films which he will produce and direct.