Code of Conduct

Last Updated: Feb, 2026

A bit of a drive is an endurance drive across Australia designed to encourage open conversation, shared responsibility and practical action in support of men’s mental health, and to raise much needed funding for organisations that provide tangible support in this space.

This Code of Conduct applies to:

• Event participants (including drivers and crew)
• Supporters
• Sponsors
• Media and communications partners
• Supported charities and beneficiary organisations
• Volunteers and collaborators

Participation in any capacity constitutes agreement to uphold this Code.

1 Purpose & Integrity

All parties must act in alignment with the purpose of the initiative:

• Advancing constructive awareness of men’s mental health
• Encouraging open, respectful dialogue
• Strengthening community responsibility
• Protecting the credibility and independence of the movement
• Raising much needed funds for charities that embody the above.

No individual or organisation may act in a way that materially undermines the integrity of the initiative.

2 Respectful Conduct & Non-Vilification

All involved must:

• Treat others with dignity, courtesy and fairness
• Avoid harassment, discrimination, intimidation or vilification
• Respect cultural, regional and community differences
• Engage in disagreement constructively, without personal attack

While this initiative focuses on men’s mental health, it does not exist in opposition to any other group. This means that everyone involved must not:

• Vilify or blame other genders, governments, institutions, older or younger generations, or any demographic group
• Frame men’s mental health as a zero-sum issue requiring the diminishment of others
• Use divisive rhetoric to create adversarial narratives
• Promote hostility toward policymakers, service providers or community groups

Constructive advocacy involves discussing systemic challenges without attacking individuals or groups. Expanding support for men does not require diminishing others.

3 Creating Safe Spaces & Encouraging Vulnerability

A bit of a drive seeks to create environments where honest, sometimes difficult conversations can occur especially when existing judgements are questioned. Vulnerability is central to this initiative, and where vulnerability is invited, safety is paramount.

All parties must:

• Treat personal disclosures with care, respect and confidentiality
• Avoid ridicule, minimisation or dismissive responses
• Refrain from pressuring individuals to share beyond their comfort
• Avoid sensationalising or exploiting personal stories for visibility or marketing
• Be mindful of humour or cultural norms that may undermine psychological safety
• Intervene respectfully if conduct becomes dismissive or harmful

Encouraging vulnerability does not equate to encouraging oversharing, nor does it replace professional mental health support.

If individuals disclose experiences involving risk of harm to themselves or others, this must be reported to trip leadership and appropriate professional services must be recommended, including where necessary emergency services (000) or crisis support lines such as Lifeline (13 11 14).

Safe spaces require active maintenance, disciplined language and awareness of power dynamics.

4 Safety & Wellbeing

4.1 Psychological Safety

Drivers, event participants, sponsor representatives and supporters who are having topical conversations must:

• Avoid presenting themselves as qualified mental health professionals unless formally credentialed
• Encourage individuals in distress to seek appropriate professional support>
• Call crisis support lines such as Lifeline (13 11 14) or emergency services (000) where there is immediate risk
• Respect confidentiality when personal stories are shared.

4.2 Physical Safety (Participants & Crew)

Drivers and event participants must:

• Comply with all Australian road laws
• Operate vehicles safely and responsibly
• Avoid reckless driving, substance impairment or unsafe vehicle modifications
• Raise any concerns about their ability to progress safely
• Follow organiser instructions and event safety protocols
• Report road incidents to police in accordance with applicable state and territory requirements

Endurance does not justify unnecessary risk.

5 Respect for Sponsors & Enabling Partners

Sponsors and advertising partners make the journey possible. Their contribution enables logistics, safety, amplification and reach.

All participants, supporters, supported charities, media partners and sponsors must:

• Treat all sponsors and their representatives with professionalism and respect
• Acknowledge agreed advertising and promotional messaging without mockery or disparagement
• Refrain from undermining sponsor brands, products or campaigns while representing the initiative
• Honour agreed visibility commitments and branding placements

Sponsors, in turn, must ensure their messaging:

• Aligns with the purpose and tone of the initiative
• Does not exploit vulnerability for commercial gain
• Maintains integrity and community trust

Respect flows in both directions. Commercial support should strengthen, not distort, the purpose of the initiative.

6 Responsible Communication & Representation

All parties agree to:

• Represent the initiative accurately
• Avoid exaggerated claims regarding impact or outcomes
• Refrain from inflammatory, misleading or divisive messaging
• Seek approval where required for branding or official representation

Sponsors, supported charities and media partners must not imply endorsement beyond agreed arrangements.

7 Financial Transparency & Use of Funds

Supported charities must:

• Clearly disclose the intended use of funds raised
• Advise event advertisers if their legal status or governance structures change
• Apply funds to programs and services consistent with their stated purpose
• Comply with relevant regulatory and reporting requirements

Organisers reserve the right to request reasonable transparency regarding fund allocation.

8 Non-Exploitation & Commercial Boundaries

Participation does not grant unrestricted commercial leverage.

Parties must not:

• Use the initiative for unapproved and unrelated product promotion
• Imply exclusive partnership without formal agreement
• Engage in ambush marketing or unauthorised brand association

Sponsors must operate strictly within agreed sponsorship terms.

9 Collaboration & Good Faith

All involved commit to:

• Acting in good faith
• Raising concerns constructively and directly
• Cooperating to resolve disputes
• Avoiding public misrepresentation of internal disagreements

As public conflict erodes trust, wherever possible we want to aim to resolve any issues internally before inflicting damage on the intended outcomes of the event.

10 Governance & Compliance

All participants, supporters, sponsors, supported charities, media partners, volunteers and collaborators must comply with all applicable Australian laws, regulations and standards relevant to their involvement in the initiative.

This includes, but is not limited to:

• Road and transport laws
• Workplace health and safety obligations
• Fundraising and charitable collection regulations
• Consumer and advertising laws
• Privacy legislation
• Anti-discrimination and equal opportunity legislation
• Defamation and communications laws
• Taxation and financial reporting requirements

No party may rely on informal association with the initiative as justification for non-compliance.

Each organisation involved remains responsible for:

• Maintaining its own appropriate legal status and governance structures
• Ensuring internal policies and controls meet regulatory requirements
• Managing its own insurance coverage appropriate to its activities
• Ensuring representatives and staff act within the law while participating

The organisers of A bit of a drive will:

• Operate in accordance with applicable regulatory requirements
• Implement reasonable governance controls appropriate to the scale of the initiative
• Act to mitigate legal, financial and reputational risk to the initiative and its stakeholders

Where regulatory non-compliance is identified, organisers reserve the right to suspend or terminate involvement to protect the integrity and lawful operation of the initiative.

11. Social Media Conduct

All parties must:

• Engage respectfully online
• Avoid publishing confidential or sensitive information
• Refrain from inflammatory commentary while representing the initiative
• Correct material inaccuracies if identified

Digital conduct carries the same weight as in-person behaviour.

12. Breach, Investigation & Consequences

Maintaining the integrity, safety and credibility of A bit of a drive requires consistent enforcement of this Code.

12.1 Reporting & Assessment

If an alleged breach occurs:

• Concerns may be raised by participants, supporters, sponsors, charities or members of the public.
• Organisers will assess the matter promptly and proportionately.
• Where appropriate, the individual or organisation concerned will be given an opportunity to respond.
• Interim measures (including suspension of participation or branding) may be implemented while the matter is reviewed.

Not all breaches are equal. Consequences will reflect the seriousness, intent, impact and any prior conduct.

12.2 Possible Consequences

Where a breach is substantiated, organisers may take one or more of the following actions:

• Formal written warning
• Requirement to remove or correct public statements
• Mandatory removal of content from digital platforms
• Suspension from participation in part or all of the initiative
• Withdrawal of supporter, participant or sponsor recognition
• Removal of branding and public association
• Termination of agreements (including sponsorship or beneficiary arrangements)
• Public clarification to protect the reputation of the initiative
• Referral to relevant law enforcement or regulatory authorities where conduct may constitute a criminal offence

Serious misconduct, including harassment, vilification, unsafe driving, exploitation of vulnerability, or actions that materially damage community trust, may result in immediate termination of involvement without prior warning.

12.3 Sponsors Who Breach After Payment

If a sponsor has paid sponsorship fees and subsequently breaches this Code:

• Organisers reserve the right to immediately suspend or terminate sponsorship recognition.
• Branding, logos and promotional materials may be removed from digital platforms, vehicles, events and communications.
• The sponsor may be excluded from further participation or visibility.

Refunds will not be automatic.

Where termination results from:

• Material reputational harm
• Conduct inconsistent with the values of the initiative
• Exploitation of vulnerability
• Public vilification or discriminatory behaviour
• Conduct that exposes the initiative to legal, regulatory or safety risk

The organisers reserve the right to retain all or part of the sponsorship fee to cover costs already incurred and reputational mitigation actions.

Where appropriate and proportionate, a partial refund may be considered at the discretion of the organisers. There is no entitlement to refund in cases of serious misconduct.

This provision exists to protect the initiative from being commercially leveraged by parties acting inconsistently with its principles.

12.4 Supported Charities

If a supported charity breaches this Code or engages in conduct inconsistent with its stated purpose:

• Fundraising directed to that charity may be suspended
• Public association may be withdrawn
• Funds not yet transferred may be withheld pending review
• Future collaboration may be terminated

Any action taken will prioritise legal and regulatory compliance and transparency.

12.5 Participants & Supporters

Participants or supporters who breach this Code may:

• Be removed from the event or associated activities
• Have public recognition withdrawn
• Be excluded from future involvement

Unsafe driving, harassment or behaviour that compromises psychological safety may result in immediate removal. Any criminal activity will be reported to Police.

13. Final Authority

The organisers retain final discretion regarding interpretation and enforcement of this Code.

Decisions will be made with consideration to:

• Safety
• Legal obligations
• Reputational risk
• Community trust
• Fairness and proportionality