WAYS Youth & Family was established in 1979 by a group of concerned community members who recognised the urgent need for youth-focused services in Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs. What started as a small grassroots initiative has grown into a leading multi-service organisation supporting young people aged 8–24 and their families through education, training, wellbeing, and care.
Today, WAYS offers a suite of programs including Vacation Care, Out of School Hours care (OOSH), WAYS Secondary (alternative education), a Registered Training Organisation (RTO), counselling and medical services, and youth engagement initiatives — all delivered from our purpose-built facility in North Bondi.
Russell King is a Sydney University Economics Graduate with an employment background in Management Accounting and Human Resources. Russell started as a volunteer at WAYS in 1987, and was the Chief Executive Officer of WAYS Youth & Family from 1989 until his passing in October 2019.
Russell is responsible for the unbelievable growth and achievements of the incredible organisation that is WAYS Youth & Family. As CEO, Russell always endeavoured to keep WAYS a youth organisation that has strong ties with the local Eastern Sydney community, as well as ensuring that WAYS programs and activities are totally directed towards the needs of the young people and their families in the area.
Russell was a true visionary and innovator with an admirable sense of social justice. He has positively impacted careers and shaped people’s lives for the better.
Russell’s heart and the doors of WAYS were always wide open to everyone regardless of their background, religious beliefs, or socio economic status. His generosity of spirit and capacity to provide practical assistance is unparalleled.
It was Russell’s mission to ensure that young people were valued, really listened to, fed, educated and given the necessary tools to achieve their goals and dreams. Russell created a WAYS family. Not just amongst all WAYS staff, but amongst our client community and many valuable stakeholders. Russell is and will always be the spiritual father of WAYS.
In 2017 the Hon Gabrielle Upton awarded Russell the well-deserved Premier’s Community Services Award, in order to acknowledge Russell’s many years of passionate, dedicated and outstanding work for the youth and families of our local community. WAYS Youth & Family have been incredibly blessed to have been guided by a CEO with such vision, dedication, ability and compassion. He will be missed – always.
Dr Terri Said
We support young people aged 8 to 24 and their families by delivering inclusive, flexible, and trauma-informed programs across education, care, and wellbeing. Through OOSH, youth education, training, and wraparound mental health support, we help young people overcome barriers and build meaningful lives — with passion, compassion, and practical solutions.
To create a community where every young person and family has the support, structure, and opportunity to lead a safe, fulfilling life marked by education, employment, wellbeing, and contribution.
W – Warmth & Respect
We treat every young person, family, and colleague with dignity, empathy, and kindness—creating a culture of trust, inclusion, and emotional safety.
A – Accountability & Action
We take ownership of our work, communicate with transparency, and use our time and resources conscientiously—delivering on our promises with integrity.
Y – Youth-Centred Innovation
We stay curious and responsive—embracing new ideas, evidence-based practice, and technology to improve outcomes for young people and their families.
S – Shared Purpose & Teamwork
We work together with passion and professionalism, united by a commitment to excellence, mutual respect, and the wellbeing of the communities we serve.