Al Taylor is hopeful a recent community grant will expand his community skateboarding program that encourages people facing mental and physical challenges to take up the pastime.
Mr Taylor's not-for-profit Drop In and Take Off program was recently awarded an Australia Post community grant of $10,000.
The community grant supports improving community connection and mental wellbeing.
"It will allow us to take this small program we have [been] nurturing locally and really push it more broadly into the community so [it] get to people who will benefit," he said.
Mr Taylor, who lives with depression and anxiety, started the Drop In and Take Off program when he left his 20-year accountancy career to open up an indoor skate park in Wodonga in 2019.
"I needed to do something different and wanted to do something I was passionate about. And with the support of my wife and my family, I threw in the tax career and put it all into this [skate park]," he said.
"I've been passionate about skateboarding my whole life, and with that lived experience of depression and anxiety, I have a really strong passion to support other people with their mental health."
The Drop In and Take Off officially became a standalone not-for-profit entity this year.
Mr Taylor said the program supported people facing physical and mental challenges and offered them a pathway to community and social engagement through skateboarding.
He said they had collaborated with local schools and community organisations, and he would like to do more of this in the future.
Mr Taylor said skateboarding had had multiple benefits on his mental health.
"I'm 40, and when I'm skateboarding, I'm not thinking about bills, I'm not thinking about troubles at home or work troubles," he said.
"If you spend all day skateboarding, you are going to sleep well that night and wake up feeling a bit better."
Mr Taylor, who also coaches, said skateboarding was good for managing emotions and mindfulness.
"You go through a lot of emotions when you might be trying to trick for an hour, and you'll get frustrated, and that's teaching confidence, perseverance, self-esteem and resilience."
