Annual Impact Report
able of contents
We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we operate and recognise their enduring connection to country, culture, and community We pay our respects to Elders past, present, and emerging, and honour the wisdom and knowledge they impart
The Embrace Collective is committed to fostering a deep understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories and cultures, and we strive to create pathways that celebrate and elevate Indigenous voices We recognise that the journey towards reconciliation is ongoing and we are dedicated to working alongside Indigenous communities to ensure that all voices are heard and valued in our collective mission
The body image landscape in Australia
We are now reaching
7 million
2 campaigns reaching 7 million people
63k
visits to our website
17k social media followers
15k
database contacts
7k+
teachers using our resources early learning educators trained
6k+
1.9M $6.2M
unique users saw our social content
Embrace Kids Australia project delivered
3 additional funding projects confirmed for the future of The Embrace Collective
Focus areas
10k 10k+
physical resource packs delivered nation-wide parents educated
5k+ community sports people upskilled
All the places where children Live Learn Play Parent/carer focus School and early learning focus Community sport focus
Executive Directorsâ
The 2024-25 financial year marked a powerful turning point for The Embrace Collective. It was a time of culmination and renewal, when we delivered on our commitments under the Embrace Kids Australia federal government grant and built foundations for the future.
Weâre proud to say that weâve achieved and exceeded our impact goals for this financial year, and for the Embrace Kids Australia Project We now have a suite of engaging programs for all of the environments where kids live, learn and play from early childhood to secondary school, and sports fields to home environments that can create early protective factors for building better body image We also have the research and evidence to show that our programs are effective The result? Weâve reached more children, educators and parents than ever before.
We didn't just deliver we transformed We built a nationally recognised organisation focused on body image prevention, strengthened the evidence base for early intervention and created powerful resources that are changing lives. We scaled quickly and responsibly, ensuring that the integrity of our work remained front and centre, even as our reach expanded.
With the Embrace Kids Australia Project grant period drawing to a close in June 2025, weâve responsibly transitioned staffing and operations in line with project completion and ongoing organisational sustainability Importantly, weâve retained a skilled and focused core team that will carry the next phase of our work forward. Our team's calibre, passion, and adaptability have been pivotal to our success, and weâre proud to enter this next chapter with such talent in place
From July 2025, the next phase begins. With funding secured for 2026-27, weâll be deepening program delivery across priority settings, supporting long-term capability development in communities and partnering with state and local organisations to embed resources sustainably
But our momentum wonât stop there
In 2025, The Embrace Collective went global. Our time in the United States and Canada sparked incredible interest in our work From the Australian Embassy in Washington DC and the United Nations in New York, to school districts in Minnesota and wellness organisations in Toronto, we saw the universal need for upstream, preventionfocused mental health support These conversations are opening doors for international partnerships and the adaptation of our resources in new contexts an exciting evolution of our mission
At home, our collaborations and credibility continue to grow Beyond the federal government grant, our work continues to grow in new and exciting directions, including a partnership with Eating Disorders Families Australia to develop the Nourish Nurture Notice Masterclass and fill a critical gap for the early identification of disordered eating. We also have a contract with Sport Integrity Australia to develop resources for sporting environments nationwide, reflecting our increasing relevance and influence in the sporting sector
We remain fiercely committed to advocacy. Weâre speaking out against the harmful and triggering education and health promotion initiatives that made many of us feel shame about our bodies, so the next generation doesnât feel the same way. Unfortunately, problematic practices still exist, but itâs our mission to share the stories and science to move people away from them
Our research partnership with Flinders University has also reached a new level We now have six pieces of research that show that our Embrace Kids programs are safe and effective Together, weâre building a robust, world-class evidence base to ensure our resources are informed by and actively shape research This partnership enables us to evaluate outcomes rigorously, evolve our programs faster and ensure everything we do remains grounded in what works.
At every stage, our commitment to collaboration has been our superpower We work alongside experts, clinicians, teachers, families, and most importantly young people. We listen, we adapt, and we codesign. This inclusive, evidence-driven approach sets us apart and will continue to drive impact long into the future
The Embrace Collective has never been more focused, more capable or more necessary. Thank you to every funder, partner, champion and community member who has helped us get here The next chapter will be deeper, bolder and even more transformative and we can't wait.
Taryn Brumfitt & Dr. Zali Yager
Co-Executive Directors, The Embrace Collective
Board of Directors
Youth Crew
+ 17 other inspiring and passionate young advocates
Taryn Brumfitt
Dr Zali Yager Damon Hunt
Dr Ivanka Prichard (Donnelley)
Annabel Rattigan and growing!
Angus Murray ACT (he/him)
Rhea Werner VIC (she/her)
Abbey Williams QLD (she/her)
Rachael Burns WA (she/her)
Academic Advisory Network
Diverse Voices
Dr Marilyn Bromberg (she/her)
Dr S. Bryn Austin (she/her)
Dr Beth T. Bell (she/her)
A/Prof Nina van Dyke (she/her)
Prof Nichola Rumsey (she/her)
Rojina Parchizadeh (she/her)
Dr Yves Saint James Aquino (he/him)
A/Prof Jennifer Webb (she/her)
Dr Liz Dale (she/her)
Dr Marilyn Metta (she/her)
Dr Lyza Norton (she/her)
Dr Fi Willer (she/her)
Dr Jo Doley (they/them)
Sara Shams (she/her)
Yemi Penn (she/her)
Emily Unity (they/them)
Lacey-Jade Christie (she/her)
Sam Bloom (she/her)
Janu Dhayanathan (she/her)
Amy Marks (she/her)
Chevese Turner (she/her)
Henry Hughes (he/him)
Dr Angela Hinz (she/her)
Vanessa Coulbeck (she/her)
The Embrace Impact Lab
The Embrace Impact Lab is the research arm of The Embrace Collective. It is a dedicated collaboration of multidisciplinary researchers who work to create a nexus between research, policy and practice to drive impact and improvements in body image, health and wellbeing across the lifespan.
The Embrace Impact Lab at Flinders University provides a powerful opportunity for the rapid translation of evidence into practice, gathering practice-based evidence, as well as feeding industry and end-user needs and innovations back to researchers
At The Embrace Impact Lab, we:
Conduct innovative research that can inform programs, policy and practice
Host worldleading scholars to contribute their knowledge
Evaluate programs to determine impact
Our impact
At The Embrace Collective, weâre working to turn the tide.
We know change wonât happen overnight, but it can happen We are part of a generational shift that is beginning to take hold. The more we invest in prevention, the more research is conducted, and the more we engage directly with young people, the clearer it becomes: we can move the dial
Our work is grounded in evidence and powered by community And while the problem remains deeply embedded, the momentum for change is real and growing.
Key Programs
âTHE EMBRACE KIDS CLASSROOM PROGRAM HAS NOT ONLY FOCUSED ON ACADEMICS BUT HAS ALSO EMPHASISED CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT, INSTILLING ESSENTIAL VALUES THAT WILL SERVE OUR CHILDREN WELL THROUGHOUT THEIR LIVES.â
Primary School Teacher
Embrace Kids Classroom Program
The Embrace Kids Classroom Program provides teachers of years 5-8 with five evidence-based, modular, developmentally appropriate lesson plans. These include all associated worksheets, slides and engaging video excerpts from the EMBRACE KIDS film, ready for teachers to embed in the HPE curriculum. Initial research evaluation indicates that this program is effective in improving risk factors for body dissatisfaction and eating disorder development.
Focusing on universal body dissatisfaction and eating disorder prevention, the Embrace Kids Classroom Program includes five engaging lessons, each beginning with a relatable clip from the EMBRACE KIDS film, followed by evidence-informed classroom activities These activities are aligned with the national curriculum, and comprehensive lesson plans, slides and worksheets are provided to ensure teachers' seamless implementation
While the program has been well-received across both primary and secondary schools, participation among primary schools specifically years 5 and 6 has been notably higher than among secondary schools. The support of cool.org assisted in distributing the program to primary schools, though our outreach efforts proved key in achieving greater uptake Feedback from schools has indicated that the five-module structure has allowed teachers to implement the program over the year, ensuring that students can fully engage with the material at a pace that suits their school's scheduling
âIt is positive to see an evidenceinformed resource, that is free and able to guide our early childhood educators.â
Chris Clark, Curriculum Manager Education Victoria Health & PE
Embrace Kids Live
20 engaging, high-energy leadership events were held with activities that improve body image and empower young people to take small actions that will contribute to changing their peer and community environment
Parent Masterclass
Over 27,000 parents have engaged with the Parent Masterclass (hosted by Nazeem Hussain) and our other parent resources, equipping them with practical strategies to foster positive body image
Embrace Magazine
7,000 copies of the first edition of the Embrace magazine were distributed to families across the country, ensuring that vital conversations around self-acceptance and wellbeing extended into the home
Start Living Campaign
The âStart Livingâ campaign video was played over 3 million times, encouraging parents to flip the script to more positive language.
The (Embrace Kids Live) event was truly incredible. So many caregivers/teachers had fabulous things to say and commonly they said we need to make this program available to all our students/kids! The young people were so engaged and it touches my heart so much to see/hear so many who feel uncomfortable with their bodies and their own value but really took on board the positive message of Embrace.â
Trudi Penrose-Starr Rural Health Innovation Coordinator
Impact spotlights
Enquiry received local film festival reached out about an EMBRACE KIDS screening
What an AMAZING day (at Embrace Kids Live) indeed! I am still buzzing from the incredible message, work and conversation...incredible! What you are all doing is wonderful, necessary and life changing.
Thursday recharged my passion for systemic and preventative change! I would love to continue the work and any support would be greatly appreciated. I absolutely loved every minute and thank you so much for the opportunity to join you all!
Yesterday, I had the privilege of having many conversations following the event with some of the young people and their families seeking further support and information (from the mental health point of view)
I have linked six young people into support so far and reflect on how the work you all do has potentially changed the trajectory of these young people's lives, opened new possibilities and prevented their difficulties becoming allconsuming You are all amazing, EMBRACE KIDS is amazing and I am so grateful our paths crossed!
Tamara Bushell Senior Mental Health Occupational Therapist
Town selected â Bunbury chosen as an Embrace Kids Live location (based on need identified and existing relationships). 100 registrations received from 12 schools and other community organisations.
Local support engaged partnered with local mental health services for presence at the event and for post-event follow-up
Event delivered community-wide impact
In Regional Victoria, we have taken a whole-of-community approach, impacting 18,000 people across multiple local government areas.
Collaborating with Yarrawonga Health, Goulburn Valley Health, Moira Shire and NCN Health, weâve delivered parent resource packs through maternal and child health services, introduced the Body Blocks program in childcare centres and provided teacher support through the âFlip the Scriptâ initiative These programs focus on creating long-term, systemic change rather than short-term solutions, laying a foundation for sustainable health improvements.
Event delivered âcommunity-wide impact
Finances
Message from the Head of Finance and Business Operations, Nikki Campbell
Income Expenses
The Board continues to play an important role in ensuring the financial affairs of The Embrace Collective are managed responsibly, and Iâm pleased to share that our finances remain in a strong position. Our auditors, HQB Accountants Auditors Advisors, provided an unqualified opinion meaning our Financial Statements (available on request) fairly and accurately reflect the financial performance and position of The Embrace Collective as at 30 June 2025
The past year has been a landmark one for our organisation. We celebrated the successful completion of the $6.2 million federal grant that launched phase one of the Embrace Kids Australia Project in November 2023 and, through careful financial planning, extended its impact until 30 June 2025
At the same time, we focused on diversifying our funding base and securing sustainable, multi-year partnerships to strengthen our foundation for the future
The Embrace Collective secured three significant new funding commitments that provide support over the next two to four years, including the continuation of the Embrace Kids Australia Project (phase two) for a further two years, as announced by the federal government, and a $1 5 million commitment from the South Australian government over four years to deliver educational body image campaigns for young people across South Australia
Thanks to the generosity and vision of both new and continuing funders, we are well positioned to carry forward our mission with strength and confidence building better body image from the beginning, so all young people can be happy, healthy and thrive To deliver on these commitments, we have also strengthened our operational structures, ensuring a dedicated core team is in place to deliver impact and drive meaningful change in the years ahead
Looking ahead
As we look to the future, our purpose is clearer and more urgent â than ever. The Embrace Collective was built on a simple but powerful belief: that every young person deserves to grow up feeling safe, confident and at home in their body. Weâve come a long way in bringing that vision to life, but the truth is, weâve only just begun.
The scale of the problem demands national, coordinated action and thanks to extraordinary investment from the Australian Federal Government over the past two years, we â ve been able to build a strong foundation. This support has allowed us to reach over one million children, develop evidence-based programs, strengthen evaluation and build the capability of communities across the country Weâre deeply grateful for this commitment to prevention it has changed whatâs possible.
However, body image distress remains a significant and growing challenge, and the need for upstream, preventative support continues to increase To meet this need, we must now shift from building to embedding ensuring our programs, partnerships and prevention messages become part of the everyday environments where young people live, learn, and play
In the years ahead, we will focus on:
Deepening our impact
in communities nationwide, supporting longterm capability and embedding sustainable delivery models.
Strengthening partnerships
with state governments to complement the powerful investment already made at the federal level. This is a national issue, and a collaborative approach across jurisdictions is essential.
Growing our evidence base
working closely with researchers to ensure our programs remain world-leading, safe and effective.
Diversifying our funding
so we can continue to innovate, partner and scale with stability and confidence
Expanding our global footprint
responding to increasing international interest and exploring opportunities for responsible, context-specific adaptation.
We know the road ahead will require both courage and collective action. The factors impacting young peopleâs wellbeing run deep, but they are not beyond reshaping. With sustained investment, strategic partnerships, and the voices of young people at the centre, we can create a future where body confidence is the norm, not the exception.
Weâve ignited momentum Now, together, we will turn it into lasting change.
A message from the Governor-General
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