What is The Mandala Project?

The Mandala Project is a 'for purpose' company founded in 2018 by Anthony (Nicho) & Mel Nicholson to deliver youth leadership development training with impact.

Our mission is to motivate and inspire participants to achieve personal and professional success. We empower, connect and further develop the personal and community leadership skills of individuals through meaningful hands-on learning experiences.

Our programs draw on experiential learning, team-based challenges, skills sessions and inspirational guest speakers to cultivate leadership capacity, emotional intelligence and help build community networks.

Programs include 4 & 8 Day Leadership Development Immersions, Personal Development Retreats, Boys & Girls Schools Programs, Father & Son Weekends, Mother & Daughter Weekends & School-based Trainee Development Programs. Or we can tailor a program to suit your needs.

Developing resilient & self aware future leaders has immense value for our community.

Our Impact

We have successfully delivered 85 transformational family, personal & youth leadership development programs since 2018.

Our programs have positively impacted 3,639 participants

3,128 Under 18 years

275 Young adults 18 - 26 years

236 Adults over 26 years

Who Are we?

We have a combined 50 years experience in facilitating personal development journeys, experiential education and building teams through adventure education. We design and deliver programs, initiatives and workshops that draw from a wealth of experience gained whilst employed by Outward Bound Australia, 13 years in local government Youth Services, developing and delivering youth leadership programs, leading month long international expeditions with World Challenge and working in wellbeing roles within local schools.

Anthony (Nicho) He/Him

Anthony (Nicho) was born in Canberra and grew up in Albury going to school and University there.

He has a Bachelor of Applied Science in Parks, Recreation and Heritage, as well as a Certificate IV in Outdoor Recreation, a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment, a Diploma in Youth Work and Level 1 Leadership training with the Rites of Passage Institute. He has worked in various roles in the youth sector for over 25 years now.

Nicho is married to Mel and they have three children – Liam, Mali and Isla. 

I am a family man. I am logical, practical and dependable. I love all sport. I am the proud father of 3 amazing children. I am a massive Bruce Springsteen fan. I love to run but my knees don't. Hiking adventures with my family is my happy place. I am a world traveller. I love to win but know there's probably more to gain from losing.

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Mel She/Her

Mel was born in Kingaroy (Qld) and grew up in both South East Queensland and North Queensland. 

She has a certificate IV in Outdoor Recreation obtained while working for Outward Bound Australia as well as Level 1 Leadership training with the Rites of Passage Institute.

Mel is a freelance outdoor educator & expedition leader for World Challenge facilitating adventure-based youth development programs all over the world.

She is married to Nicho and they have three children – Liam, Mali and Isla.

I am a woman, a hiker, a world traveller. A wife to my real-life superhero. I am a lover of the outdoors, adventure and the mountains. I am a proud mother to many (but only gave birth to 3!). I listen/dance/sing to any music, as long as it’s loud. I love the lessons that discomfort teaches.

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