Boys to the Bush co-founder Adam DeMamiel, of Albury, spoke at the Albury Club's seventh annual Rural Lunch yesterday.

He said it was a great chance to meet and connect with people who live on the land, with many saying they'd open their farm gates to the camps.

Mr DeMamiel said the organisation, which runs camps for disengaged youth and takes them into the bush, provided a platform for individuals and communities to support young people.

"It's brilliant to make connections with farmers, we're looking to use different farms and farmers are able to impart so much knowledge onto the boys," he said.

"It's something that seemed to resonate, being blokes from the land, that idea of getting back to basics and the simple things that are affiliated with life on the land."

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Albury Club president David Bruce said the lunch allowed rural people to connect and was about getting back to the club's deep rural roots. He said $1500 was donated to Boys to the Bush last year, and a similar amount would likely be donated this year.

Mr Bruce said having Mr DeMamiel speak was part of a wider focus on community-based charities by the club, which saw $8000 donated to Survivors of Suicide and Friends after a talk by Ralph Kelly last week.

Mr DeMamiel said he and fellow Boys to the Bush founders had big plans for the organisation, but their success was only possible because of the support of organisations like the Albury Club.

"We've got grand plans to grow and high hopes for the number of boys we'll be able to help out," he said.

"I've been amazed how many good people are out there wanting to help us and the boys are starting to see it too, kids from circumstances where they wouldn't normally see that. So to see that the community around them is full of good people wanting to help them, it's great.

"It's changing the lives of a lot of boys, but it's changing the lives of a lot of people involved, adults too."

Mr Bruce said 180 people attended the club's rural lunch, with organisers looking at different options to cut down the waiting list next year.

"It's a great opportunity for guys off the land to come into town, catch up with friends and share any potential problems or troubles," he said.

Mr Bruce said the club had developed a focus on mental health.

"It's a strong theme for the club to support," he said.

"In the current day and age it's really important."

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