Issuu

2026

ANNUAL REPORT

PATHWAYS TO POSSIBILITY

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their continuing connection to land, waters and community. We pay our respects to the people, the cultures and to Elders past, present and emerging. Their rich heritage guides us as we navigate new pathways and create transformative experiences for the young people we serve. 2

TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION................................................................................................................................... 4

From The Helm...................................................................................................................................................... 6 Who we are.............................................................................................................................................................. 8

Strategy 2023 to 2026.....................................................................................................................................10

PROGRAMS.......................................................................................................................................... 12 Locations.................................................................................................................................................................22

Vessels..................................................................................................................................................................... 24

Testimonials......................................................................................................................................................... 26

HIGHLIGHTS........................................................................................................................................ 29

International Day of People with a Disability at Admiralty House.................................. 30 80th Rolex Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race...........................................................................................32

Australian Sailing Awards........................................................................................................................... 36 Handle to Helm.................................................................................................................................................. 38

Helm........................................................................................................................................................................... 39

EVENTS & CAMPAIGNS..................................................................................................................... 41

Hobart Campaign............................................................................................................................................ 42

Northern Campaign ...................................................................................................................................... 43 Inaugural Melbourne Making Waves Regatta ............................................................................ 44 Sydney Making Waves Regatta ............................................................................................................ 45

Queensland Christmas WAGS................................................................................................................. 46 A Day of Connection on the Water.......................................................................................................47

COMMUNITY...................................................................................................................................... 48

Participants.......................................................................................................................................................... 50 Partners................................................................................................................................................................... 52 Volunteer Milestones..................................................................................................................................... 54

Ambassadors & Patrons............................................................................................................................. 56 FINANCIAL.......................................................................................................................................... 58

Treasurer’s Report............................................................................................................................................ 60

GOVERNANCE.................................................................................................................................... 63

2026 to 2030 Strategy................................................................................................................................... 64

INTRODUCTION

FROM THE HELM Peter Laver President

It is my privilege to advise that the Making Waves Foundation has enjoyed another successful year, delivering on the organisation’s mission to enhance the lives and aspirations of disadvantaged, disabled and disengaged young Australians. Further, through the exceptional effort and dedication of Foundation staff and volunteers, the operational performance and financial stability of our organisation has significantly improved.

We promulgated our Foundation 2026-30 Strategy in early 2026 following collaboration between Board members Staff and volunteers in late 2025, hosted and ably supported by the Price Waterhouse Coopers strategic design team. As a demonstration of our accountability and commitment to our mission, this critical document is publicly available on our website and summarised in this Annual Report. I am pleased to report progress in implementation of key strategic themes; expanding the quality and scale of our programs, improving support to volunteers and customers through our new Helm engagement portal, partnerships to offer equipment discounts to volunteers, increased fundraising success and improved organisation public profile achieved in part through our participation in the Rolex Sydney to Harbour Yacht Race, Northern and Hobart Campaigns as well as Charity Regattas in Sydney and now in Melbourne and Brisbane. In addition, we have commenced a review project with a volunteer team under the stewardship of past Chairman Andrew King to characterise our yacht requirements to inform subsequent initiatives to modernise our yacht fleet.

FROM THE HELM | President Report

We can be quietly proud of recognition of our achievements during the 2025 National and State Australian Sailing awards and through the gracious acceptance of Patronage of our Charity by Her Excellency the Governor General, together with the active support and trust of partners and stakeholders.

I reported last year the disappointing state of our Newcastle yacht SV Joy and the consequent challenges facing our Newcastle team. Your Board has resolved to replace this vessel as soon as availability of a suitable vessel is identified (and in advance of the Yacht design review project I have already reported). In closing I thank our Staff, our Volunteers and fellow Board members for their extraordinary effort in ensuring the success of our foundation in changing the lives and aspirations of young Australians. You should all be immensely proud of your efforts. I would also like to thank our past Secretary Jack Grey and Director Alice Anderson for their outstanding service to our Foundation and welcome new Board Members Moya Molloy, Amberley Brady (Secretary) and James Hunter. Finally, I would like to recognise the generous support of or partners and sponsors without which we would not be able to achieve our mission to enhance the lives of young Australians experiencing disadvantage or disability.

General Manager

What an incredible year for Making Waves Foundation! FY26 was filled with exciting milestones, new opportunities and outstanding achievements, made possible by our dedicated people and the wonderful sailing community. Throughout the year, we delivered 561 program sessions to 5,624 participants, helping young Australians build confidence, develop skills and experience the joy of sailing. We expanded into Newcastle and Melbourne, creating more opportunities for young people. A proud highlight was seeing our first-ever program participant compete in the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race — demonstrating the incredible pathways our programs can create. We also welcomed Gill through Marine Plus as our apparel partner, alongside The Primary Club of Australia and Gill as Sydney to Hobart sponsors.

FROM THE HELM | GM Report

Gareth Hogan

While we have strengthened our financial position by building modest cash reserves to support future contingencies, we remain heavily reliant on government funding. Diversifying our funding base through corporate partnerships, philanthropy and community support will be a key priority to ensure our long-term sustainability. Our extraordinary volunteers contributed more than 2,300 hours, remaining the heartbeat of Making Waves. My sincere thanks also go to our Board, staff, partners, schools and supporters for their continued commitment. And the best is yet to come! Our 2026–2030 Strategic Journey promises exciting growth, with expanded programs, virtual reality sailing experiences and the return of Yacht in a Box, bringing sailing into classrooms.

WHO WE ARE Young Australians experiencing disability, disengagement, or disadvantage face barriers that limit their sense of possibility. Sailing, a sport built on teamwork, problem solving and independence, holds powerful potential to build confidence, purpose and connection. Yet it remains a high barrier activity, often inaccessible and out of reach for the young people who could benefit most. We seek to change that. At Making Waves Foundation, we believe every young person deserves the opportunity to discover their potential, challenge expectations and achieve something extraordinary! We are a not-for-profit organisation creating life-changing opportunities for young Australians under 25 experiencing disability, disadvantage or disengagement. Through inclusive, fee-free sailing and maritime programs, we break down barriers, challenge perceptions and open doors to new possibilities. Our vision is simple: a future where every young person feels empowered, included and supported to achieve their potential, both on and off the water. With the dedication of our incredible volunteers, staff and partners, we create safe, exciting and supportive experiences that build confidence, independence, resilience and meaningful connections. Whether sailing a yacht or developing practical skills ashore, every challenge becomes an opportunity to learn, grow and succeed. But we’re about more than sailing. We’re changing perceptions, building inclusive communities and showing what’s possible when young people are given the opportunity to shine. The impact goes far beyond the water. Young people leave our programs with new skills, stronger friendships, greater self-belief and the confidence to take on life’s next challenge. We’re not just creating sailing opportunities. We’re creating pathways to possibility!

OUR VISION

Young Australians who are experiencing disability, disadvantage and disengagement are inspired and empowered through sailing and maritime experiences.

WHO WE ARE

OUR MISSION

To provide inclusive sailing and maritime programs for young Australians who are experiencing disability, disadvantage and disengagement with skilled volunteers and staff that: • Challenge and enable personal growth and aspirations and; • Enhances community understanding of their potential.

STRATEGY 2023 TO 2026 Targets and Milestones Target 1 – Take 10, 000 participants sailing through our programs

16,339 Participants

11,909

Winds of Joy Program

2,451

Winds of Change Program

279

Racing / Twilights / Other

265

Winds of Care Program

1,435

Wright of Passage sessions (287 sessions with an avg. of 5 participants)

Between July 2023 to July 2026, we took 16,086 participants through our programs.

Target 2 – Have 7 permanent ports operating Southport Yacht Club was not possible due to logistics and venue renovations. However, we did commence programs in these new locations, taking our locations to 10 permanent bases. Western Beach Boat Club, Geelong Teralba Amateur Sailing Club, Lake Macquarie Lake Macquarie High School, NSW Chelsea Yacht Club, VIC

Pathway

WRIGHT OF PASSAGE

Target 3 – Running a 1.5m budget FY 25

$1.6m budget

Target 4 –Recruit 400 highly trained and active volunteers

FY 26

Currently

$1.7m budget

284 active volunteers

Target 5 – Have a pathway for participants to progress WoJ - All Locations

WoCh - All Locations

WoP - QLD & ACT will commence in 2027, as well as additional programs in VIC WoI - No racing in Melbourne & Newcastle on hold until a replacement vessel is purchased

Target 6 – Complete our 24th Sydney to Hobart race in 2026 We will be completing the 24th Rolex Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race in December 2026.

WINDS OF CHANGE

WINDS OF INSPIRATION

Milestone The 1st Wright of Passage participant completed the 2025 Sydney to Hobart Race on board MWF Kayle. 11

PROGRAMS

WINDS OF

JOY OBJECTIVE Provide a positive recreational experience on the water.

PARTICIPANTS

Young people aged 7 to 25 living with disability or disadvantage

The Making Waves Foundation (MWF) Winds of Joy Program is an inclusive sailing initiative that provides young people with disabilities the opportunity to experience the excitement, challenge, and freedom of sailing a large racing yacht. The program is designed to create empowering and memorable experiences on the water while promoting inclusion, confidence, teamwork, and personal development. Through the use of specially adapted sailing yachts and the support of trained volunteer sailors, Winds of Joy enables participants to engage in an activity that may otherwise be inaccessible to them.

DURATION

Single 2-hour session on a school day

The primary purpose of the Winds of Joy Program is to provide young people with disabilities with an opportunity to participate in an exciting, challenging, and accessible sailing experience. The program aims to remove barriers that often prevent people with disabilities from engaging in recreational activities, particularly those involving outdoor and water-based experiences. A key objective of the program is to promote inclusion by ensuring that participants are able to take part in sailing activities alongside their peers. Rather than focusing on limitations, Winds of Joy encourages participants to discover their abilities and develop confidence through practical experiences.

The program also seeks to support personal growth by encouraging participants to: • develop confidence and independence;

• build communication and teamwork skills;

• experience achievement through completing new challenges; • connect with positive mentors and role models;

• gain appreciation for the marine environment and sailing.

Our Impact (Between 1 Jul 25 and 30 Jun 26)

495

Programs delivered

female 43%

male 57%

4,070 Participants

109

Wheelchairs

OBJECTIVE Provide opportunities for personal growth.

PARTICIPANTS

Young People, aged 15 to 18, who would benefit from targeted opportunities to develop the confidence, optimism, knowledge and social skills to unlock their potential.

The Making Waves Foundation (MWF) Winds of Change Program is an inclusive sailing and personal development initiative designed to support young people aged approximately 15–18 years who experience disability or social disadvantage. The program uses sailing as a powerful educational tool to develop confidence, self-worth, teamwork, communication skills, and personal potential. By moving beyond traditional classroom learning and placing participants in an active, challenging environment, Winds of Change encourages young people to recognise their abilities and develop greater independence.

DURATION

6 to 8 weeks, 2 to 2.5 hours each Lite 4 weeks, 2 hours each

The primary purpose of Winds of Change is to provide young people with a supportive but challenging environment where they can develop confidence, optimism, knowledge, and social skills. The program is designed for participants who may benefit from targeted opportunities to strengthen personal attributes and discover their potential. Unlike traditional educational approaches that rely mainly on classroom instruction, Winds of Change uses experiential learning. Participants learn by actively engaging with the sailing environment, making decisions, solving problems, and working collaboratively with others.

WINDS OF

CHANGE

The key objectives of the program include:

• developing self-confidence and independence; • improving teamwork and communication skills; • encouraging positive attitudes and behaviours;

• building resilience through overcoming challenges; • developing practical sailing knowledge and skills;

• creating opportunities for participants to recognise their own strengths.

Our Impact (Between 1 Jul 25 and 30 Jun 26)

Programs delivered

female 48%

male 52%

786

Participants

Wheelchairs

WINDS OF

INSPIRATION OBJECTIVE Enhance skill development through offshore racing

PARTICIPANTS

Selected “graduates” from Winds of Change or Wright of Passage. Minimum 16yrs or older depending on clubs and events.

DURATION

Late afternoons, days are clubdependent

MWF volunteers Community members living with disability

The Making Waves Foundation (MWF) Winds of Inspiration Program is an advanced sailing initiative that provides opportunities for Australians experiencing disability or disadvantage to challenge themselves through higher-level sailing experiences. The program builds on the foundation’s commitment to inclusion, empowerment, and personal achievement by enabling participants to continue developing their sailing skills beyond the introductory and developmental stages offered through other MWF programs. 18

The program represents the continuation of Making Waves Foundation’s long history of demonstrating the capability of people with disability in competitive sailing. Originally established through the vision of David Pescud and the participation of sailors with disability in major ocean racing events, MWF has used sailing as a platform to challenge perceptions, promote equality, and create opportunities for achievement.

Key objectives of Winds of Inspiration include: • developing advanced sailing knowledge and practical skills;

• increasing confidence through participation in challenging activities; • encouraging teamwork and communication within a racing crew; • creating pathways for continued involvement in sailing;

• providing positive role models and demonstrating ability rather than limitation; • supporting volunteers and participants in their ongoing skill development.

Our Impact (Between 1 Jul 25 and 30 Jun 26)

Programs delivered

female 39%

male 61%

201

Participants

Wheelchairs

WRIGHT OF

PASSAGE OBJECTIVE Provide a positive, hands-on space for young people to develop workready attitudes and trade skills as they clarify their next steps in education, training or employment.

PARTICIPANTS

Young people (aged 15 to 18) who are looking for learning options outside of the classroom.

The Making Waves Foundation (MWF) Wright of Passage Program is a specialised sailing initiative that provides young people with disabilities or disadvantage the opportunity to experience the challenge, adventure, and personal growth associated with extended sailing journeys. The program is named in recognition of the significant role that sailing can play as a pathway towards confidence, independence, resilience, and achievement. Through Wright of Passage, Making Waves Foundation uses sailing as an educational

DURATION

One or two days each week of school term. Preferably a minimum of one term. Up to four terms.

and transformational experience. The program allows participants to move beyond the boundaries of their everyday environments and engage in an activity that encourages teamwork, responsibility, problem-solving, and self-belief. The program reflects MWF’s broader vision of creating opportunities where people of all abilities can participate fully, challenge expectations, and achieve goals that may previously have seemed unattainable.

The key objectives of Wright of Passage include: • Encouraging workshop environment

• Build resilience, optimism and teamwork • Core technical skills

• Essential work ready attitudes • Goal setting

Our Impact (Between 1 Jul 25 and 30 Jun 26)

209 Sessions

female 15%

(199 workshop, 10 sailing)

male 85%

352

Participants (300 workshop, 52 sailing)

LOCATIONS Melbourne Melbourne City Marina Lv 1 120/439 Docklands Dr, Docklands VIC 3008 Established: 2016 Programs: WoJ, WoC | Programs delivered: 81 Volunteers: 39

Chelsea Yacht Club Kelvin Grv, Chelsea, VIC 3196 Established: 2025 Programs: WoP | Programs delivered: 38 Volunteers: 6

Geelong Royal Geelong Yacht Club 25 Eastern Beach Rd, Geelong VIC 3220 Established: 2023 Programs: WoJ, WoC, WoI | Programs delivered: 133 Volunteers: 28

Western Beach Boat Club 79-90 Western Foreshore Rd, Geelong VIC 3220 Established: 2024 Programs: WoP | Programs delivered: 60 Volunteers: 4

Brisbane Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron 578 Royal Esplanade, Manly QLD 4179 Established: 2023 Programs: WoJ, WoChL, WoI | Programs delivered: 109 Volunteers: 34

Sydney Cruising Yacht Club of Australia 1 New Beach Rd, Darling Point NSW 2027 Established: 1995 Programs: WoJ, WoCh, WoI, WoC | Programs delivered: 170 Volunteers: 113

Woolwich Dock & Concord Ryde Sailing Club Clarke Rd, Woolwich NSW 2110 Corner of Waterview St, Yaralla Rd, Putney NSW 2112 Established: 2016 Programs: WoP | Programs delivered: 57 Volunteers: 4

Newcastle Newcastle Cruising Yacht Club 95 Hannell St, Wickham NSW 2293 Established: 2022 Programs: WoJ, WoCh | Programs delivered: 93 Volunteers: 44

Lake Macquarie High School 16 Marmong St, Booragul, NSW, 2284 Established: 2025 Programs: WoP | Programs delivered: 54 Volunteers: 3 23

VESSELS Farr 40 | Acquired: 2023

THE TRIBE

Since purchase, she has had her keel removed and reattached after the keel bolts were checked. The aft deck has been reinforced to allow for the weight of electric chairs with pad eyes added to hold them in place, at the same time the traveller was removed. An additional lifeline has been added and all lifelines covered with netting. A furling headsail was added and a smaller mainsail to stabilise the vessel. Most recently, the wheel has been replaced with a smaller version to allow for easier movement around the deck and lazy jacks added for program flexibility.

Sayer 45 | Acquired: 2022 Her stanchions have been raised and an additional lifeline added for safety. Netting has been added to the lifelines and the traveller taken off. Pad eyes have been added to accommodate wheelchairs on the aft deck and smaller sails procured for ease of handling. We are currently seeking a replacement for Joy.

JOY Lyons 54 | Acquired: 2000

KAYLE

Built in 2000 specifically for Sailors with Disability. She was originally built with water ballasts but has since had a bow sprit added to allow for the use of asymmetrical spinnakers. Kayle has completed in 15 Sydney to Hobart races and is the largest yacht in our fleet. A furling headsail has also been added to make for easier operation during Winds of Joy programs. The wheels are positioned so that the helmsperson can be seated for those with physical disability. The stanchions have been raised to increase safety and easier movement around the deck.

Farr 47 | Acquired: 2016 Built in 1993 and winner of the Sydney to Hobart line honours in the same year. She has competed in every Sydney to Hobart between 1993 and 2001 before being moved to Fremantle and then Melbourne, her current home. Since purchase, she has had her traveller removed to allow room for wheelchairs. Stanchions have been raised and nets have been added to make her safer for young children to move around safely. A furling headsail has been added for easier handling.

NINETY SEVEN Generation 1 TP52 | Acquired: 2022 In December 2022, Wot Eva was relocated to Newcastle to run winds of Joy programs before finally moving to Geelong in Jan 2023 where she is now based running Winds of Joy and Winds of Inspiration programs. Her only modification is having netting added to the lifelines.

WOT EVA Rainbow Dinghy Red Kite – Sydney Sticky Beak - Geelong Kitchen Paper – Sydney Barney – Sydney Dingus – Newcastle *NEW Little Blue – Geelong Smash n Dash - Sydney Iggy Stardust - Newcastle *NEW

TESTIMONIALS Sena Nedelkovska General Manager Sena Care

“I would also like to take this opportunity to thank you and your team for all that you do for these amazing individuals. Putting a smile on someone’s face, especially the participants under my care, is not always easy, but your team manages to make it happen every time we sail. The positive experiences, confidence, and enjoyment our participants gain from the program are truly invaluable.”

Sana Winds of Joy Participant

“Participating in the sailing experience with Making Waves Foundation was fantastic. The program provided a supportive and engaging environment, and the crew made everyone feel welcome and empowered. It was not only enjoyable but also inspiring—everyone learned valuable skills and built confidence throughout the day. Overall, it was an unforgettable experience that I would highly recommend to others”

Jonathon McGowan Vicentia High School

“On behalf of the Vincentia High School Support Unit I would like to sincerely thank you all for making our day so special on the water. It was an experience we will always remember and I am particularly thankful that you allowed us to return to our original date after being moved to this Friday. The weather was perfect and it was just the end to a school year that we could have dreamed of. Thank you for streamlining our arrival and parking and to Skipper Mike for negotiating an earlier arrival for us to be able to witness the race on the harbour. Thank you to all the open hearted volunteers for helping the students feel safe and confident in their adventure on the water.”

Kirsty Sellers Mother Southern Austic School

“I’m writing firstly to extend a huge thank you. My son recently had the opportunity to go sailing in Melbourne for the first time with your team through Southern Autistic School, and it was such a wonderful experience for him, which he often misses out on because he is put in the ‘too hard’ basket. It was incredibly successful, and we discovered that he truly enjoyed being out on the water.”

Julia Bach Teacher Armstrong Creek School

Our students have experienced tremendous success through the Wright of Passage program offered by Making Waves. It has been remarkable to witness the growth in their confidence, their belief in their own abilities, and their capacity to demonstrate a strong work ethic and commitment to showing up for themselves. The impact of the program on our students has been truly wonderful to see, and we greatly value the ongoing partnership and support. It is fantastic to see our students so deeply engaged in their hands-on learning, developing practical skills, building confidence, and experiencing success in an authentic environment. We are incredibly grateful for the dedicated staff who support our students at Armstrong Creek School. They consistently go above and beyond in every interaction, creating an environment where students feel valued, supported and encouraged to succeed.

Tahani Edris Assistant Principal Cromehurst School

We have absolutely loved participating in the Winds of Joy program. Communication was always perfect, you have always been flexible, the volunteers have been so kind, caring, patient and engaged all of our students who have very diverse needs and communication styles. The sails have been a beautiful way for our students to explore our unit of work on ‘water’, as well as experiencing the freedom of being outdoors on the water, feeling the pride of steering the boat and seeing the harbour. We are so grateful for all the volunteers. Thank you! 27

HIGHLIGHTS

INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEOPLE WITH A DISABILITY AT ADMIRALTY HOUSE

MILESTONES | Admiralty House

On 3 December 2025, Making Waves Foundation was honoured to be hosted at Admiralty House by Her Excellency the Governor-General of Australia, Sam Mostyn AC, for a special celebration of inclusion, achievement and possibility.

The event brought together two significant occasions: the celebration of International Day of People with Disability and the presentation of race caps to the 2025 Making Waves Foundation Sydney to Hobart crew. Surrounded by partners, sponsors, supporters and volunteers on the lawns of Admiralty House, the day was a powerful recognition of the people and community behind the campaign. The celebration continued on the water, with a sail past by Kayle, proudly displaying her newly sponsored mainsail — a fitting symbol of the collective support that makes the campaign possible.

For Making Waves Foundation, the Sydney to Hobart is about much more than a race. It is a platform to challenge perceptions and demonstrate what can happen when people are given the opportunity, encouragement and support to push beyond perceived limitations.

Barriers are only in the mind. The 2025 campaign continued to prove that belief, teamwork and the right support can create opportunities that once seemed impossible. This year, five volunteers made their Sydney to Hobart race debut, while Making Waves Foundation welcomed two international crew members for the first time in the campaign’s 22-race history.

Each new crew member brings their own story, skills and perspective. Together, they form a team united by a shared commitment to inclusion and a belief that the water should be a place where everyone can participate, contribute and achieve. The gathering at Admiralty House was therefore more than a ceremonial moment. It was a celebration of the people who make the Making Waves Foundation vision possible

— and a reminder of what can be achieved when a community comes together behind a common purpose. As the 2025 crew prepared to take on the Sydney to Hobart, they carried with them not only their race caps, but the support and belief of an entire community. With the right belief and support, anything is possible. 31

MILESTONES | 80th Rolex Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race

80TH ROLEX SYDNEY TO HOBART YACHT RACE

This year, Skipper John Whitfeld reached a remarkable milestone with his 31st race, and long-time Making Waves volunteer and advocate Bridget Canham, who has been with the Foundation since day one, celebrated her 10th crossing. Both John and Bridget worked tirelessly, day and night, for months leading up to the campaign, giving up their time to ensure the yacht was fully prepared — from maintenance to provisioning food, and everything in between. Their dedication underpins the success and safety of every Making Waves campaign. This year’s crew included an inspiring mix of participants: Jordan Berryman, Jeff Davis, Steve Grellis, Annie Lawrence, James Hunter, David Rieser, Amandine Schaeffer, Brad Hoppen, Wright of Passage graduate from Geelong and youngest in the fleet aged 18, and two wheelchair users who together have clocked over 290 000 nautical miles, Jens Als with a

silver medal in sailing for the 2000 Sydney Paralympics and Kirsten Pollock, former Hansa World Champion. Each crew member showcased resilience, teamwork, and courage, highlighting the Foundation’s mission to empower youth through sailing — particularly those living with disability, experiencing disadvantage, or disengaged from society. We are also extremely grateful to have secured sponsorship for the first time since rebranding as the Making Waves Foundation. Thanks to the Primary Club of Australia and GILL Marine through Marine Plus the crew were fully equipped with offshore kits, onshore apparel, and lifejackets. Securing this funding allows more of our annual resources to be directed toward providing free sailing programs, ensuring that every young person we support can experience the confidence, skills, and joy that sailing provides.

Results

Time: 3:23:27:21 | PHS 15 | PHS – Div 1 – 8 | PHS Corinthian – 27 | Line Honours 37 Crew (* denotes Debut)

John Whitfeld (Skipper), Annie Lawrence, Jens Als*, Jordan Berryman, Bridget Canham, Jeff Davis, Steve Grellis, Brad Hoppen*, James Hunter, Jeff Lewis*, Kirsten Pollock*, Greg Pugh, David Rieser, Sanna Rodenstein*, Amandine Schaeffer*, Dennis Ward*.

Brad’s Journey From Dinghies to the Derwent For Brad Hoppen, a question asked through a fence opened the door to an extraordinary journey.

MILESTONES | 80th Rolex Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race – Brad’s Journey

“Can I join?”

That simple question marked the beginning of Brad’s involvement with the Making Waves Foundation. From Wright of Passage boat-building program to Winds of Inspiration, Brad embraced every opportunity to learn, build, sail and grow. In 2025, that journey took him further than he could have imagined: at just 18 years old, Brad became the youngest crew member on the Making Waves Foundation’s Sydney to Hobart campaign. For Brad, the milestone was especially significant. The minimum age to compete in the Rolex Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race is 18, meaning he reached his 18th year with an extraordinary goal in sight — to take his place among the crew for one of the world’s most demanding offshore yacht races. His pathway to the start line began much closer to shore.

As a participant in Wright of Passage and later Winds of Inspiration, Brad developed practical skills, confidence and a deepening passion for life on the water. He completed two full boat builds, learning not only the technical skills of boat building but also the value of teamwork, communication and persistence. The Wright of Passage program became a defining chapter in his development. Building boats with his own hands gave Brad a tangible sense of achievement and capability, while his growing experience on the water opened up a future in the marine industry. Then came the Sydney to Hobart. Balancing his final year of school in Geelong with intensive offshore training, Brad committed himself to the challenge of preparing for one of sailing’s most iconic events. Joining a crew in which half of the sailors live with disability, he experienced firsthand the power of inclusion, teamwork and shared purpose.

His journey culminated in a life-changing achievement: taking on the responsibility of helming Kayle across the Finish line of the 80th Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race. It was a remarkable reflection of just how far he had travelled - from a young person asking if he could join a dinghy building program, to a confident sailor completing one of the world’s most iconic bluewater races. For Brad’s mum, Mary Hoppen, watching that transformation has been equally profound. “Providing my child with opportunities to engage in things that he actually wants to… it’s been mind-blowing.” Brad’s story is a powerful example of what can happen when young people are given genuine opportunities to discover what they are capable of. The Making Waves

Foundation’s pathway gave him more than access to boats and sailing; it gave him the chance to develop skills, build confidence, find belonging and imagine a future in an industry he loves. Now 19, Brad continues to work on boats at home and stay closely connected to the marine industry. His journey from dinghies to the Derwent is a testament to the impact of sustained opportunity — and to what can happen when a young person’s curiosity is met with an open door. This is what the Making Waves Foundation is all about: creating pathways, building confidence and supporting young people and their families through real, hands-on experiences that can change the course of a life.

AUSTRALIAN SAILING AWARDS Celebrating Excellence in Inclusion and Sailing 2025 was a landmark year for the Making Waves Foundation, with our programs receiving recognition at both state and national level for their contribution to inclusive sailing and the wider community.

SPORT PROMOTION AWARD – State and National Recognition

MILESTONES | Australian Sailing Awards

We were delighted to receive the Sport Promotion Award at the Australian Sailing NSW/ACT Awards, held on Saturday 20 September at St George Sailing Club.

The award recognises a club, individual or organisation that has made an outstanding contribution to promoting sailing within the community. It celebrates efforts to organise and promote significant sailing events, increase public and commercial interest in the sport, and generate positive media attention across print, digital, radio, television and photography. But the recognition did not stop there. Following our NSW/ACT success, Making Waves Foundation went on to win the national Sport Promotion Award at the Australian Sailing Awards, presented at the Australian National Maritime Museum. To receive recognition at both state and national level was an extraordinary achievement and a powerful endorsement of the impact of our work.

For Making Waves Foundation, these awards reflect the way our programs use sailing to create opportunities for people living with disability, disadvantage and disengagement, while demonstrating the sport’s potential as a powerful vehicle for inclusion, empowerment and community connection. They are also a celebration of the people behind the programs. Our staff, volunteers, partners and supporters work tirelessly to introduce new audiences to sailing and demonstrate that the sport can be accessible, welcoming and transformative. We were also proud to see James Hunter and John Whitfeld recognised as finalists in the Volunteer of the Year category. Their passion, commitment and countless hours of service are representative of the extraordinary contribution volunteers make across the Making Waves Foundation community.

INCLUSION PROGRAM OF THE YEAR Our achievements continued in Victoria, with the Making Waves Foundation’s Wright of Passage program awarded Inclusion Program of the Year at the 2025 Victorian Sailing Awards. Presented on Friday 12 September at Sandringham Yacht Club, the award recognised the tremendous efforts of our Victorian staff and volunteers, who work tirelessly to create meaningful opportunities for young Australians to progress beyond the classroom. Wright of Passage is about much more than learning to sail. Through handson boat building, sailing and teamwork, participants develop practical, work-ready skills alongside confidence, communication and a sense of purpose. These experiences

can help young people take important steps towards employment, further education and greater participation in their communities. The award highlights the importance of creating inclusive pathways that recognise the strengths and potential of every young person. We are incredibly grateful to our Victorian team for their expertise, energy and commitment, and to the partners and supporters who make Wright of Passage possible. From state recognition to national success, 2025 demonstrated the growing impact of Making Waves Foundation — proving that when sailing is made accessible to everyone, it can inspire, empower and change lives.

HANDLE TO HELM

Handle to Helm is a Making Waves Foundation pilot program developed with Guide Dogs NSW/ACT for clients who are blind or have low vision. It builds confidence and independence by helping participants overcome the practical challenges of getting on and around a boat — and, importantly, discover what they are capable of on the water.

MILESTONES | Handle to Helm

At its heart, Handle to Helm redeploys skills developed through Guide Dogs mobility training in a completely new environment and activity. Participants draw on their sensory awareness, memory, spatial awareness and mobility skills to move safely around the yacht, operate winches, trim sails and helm the yacht, while working with others to achieve something magnificent together.

54% female 46% male Together, they create an engaging, challenging and enjoyable sporting and social experience that demonstrates how mobility skills can open new possibilities. Handle to Helm is not simply about putting someone on a boat. It is about opening a door to possibilities they may

The impact goes well beyond learning to sail. For many people who are blind or have low vision, sailing and other waterbased activities may appear inaccessible or simply never have been considered. Handle to Helm challenges that assumption. Through thoughtful program design, expert support and hands-on experience, it removes barriers and creates a safe environment where participants can learn, practise, take control and experience the freedom of being active on the water. The program brings together the lived experience of Guide Dogs clients, the expertise of Guide Dogs instructors, and the sailing and program-development knowledge of Making Waves Foundation crew.

Sessions

Participants

never have considered — and giving them the confidence, skills and support to step through it. It demonstrates what can happen when barriers are redesigned as opportunities: confidence becomes capability, capability creates independence, and independence opens the way to participation.

HELM In 2026, Making Waves Foundation took a significant step forward in how we manage our growing programs with the launch of Helm, our new custom-designed Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system. Built specifically for the unique needs of Making Waves Foundation, Helm brings volunteer management, participant bookings, program scheduling, school engagement, accreditation and on-water safety into one integrated platform. Unlike off-the-shelf systems, Helm was designed around the realities of accessible sailing — where the right combination of volunteers, skills and safety accreditations is critical to every session. The system was designed and developed by our NSW volunteer, Jeff Lewis, whose firsthand understanding of our on-water operations helped shape a solution that is practical, accessible and scalable. Jeff identified the challenges faced by our coordinators and volunteers and built Helm to remove unnecessary administration, allowing our teams to spend more time delivering programs and less time managing spreadsheets, emails and phone calls.

One of Helm’s most innovative features is its AI-assisted interface, allowing volunteers to interact with the system using simple, conversational requests. Its safety-aware rostering also ensures that mandatory crew roles and accreditation requirements are met before a session is considered fully crewed.

MILESTONES | HELM

A CRM Built for Accessible Sailing

Since launching in April 2026, Helm has already coordinated 298 sessions, rostered 1,278 volunteer crew and supported 1,314 participant bookings. The majority of volunteer sign-ups now occur without coordinator intervention, significantly reducing administrative workload. Helm demonstrates the power of innovation when technology is developed from genuine operational need. Most importantly, it gives Making Waves Foundation greater capacity to deliver our mission — getting more people of all abilities on the water, more often. We thank Jeff for his extraordinary contribution and for turning an operational challenge into a powerful new platform for the future of Making Waves Foundation.

HELM 39

EVENTS & CAMPAIGNS

HOBART CAMPAIGN From 13–19 February, the Making Waves Foundation delivered another successful Hobart Campaign, providing 16 sailing programs to 135 participants from nine different schools. The campaign would not have been possible without the incredible commitment of our volunteers. A very big thank you to Kathy Veel and Roger Bonnet, our Sydney-based volunteers, who once again managed the lion’s share of the campaign and helped ensure each program ran smoothly.

EVENTS & CAMPAIGNS | Hobart Campaign

We were also fortunate to have the wonderful local Sailability volunteers step up to crew the programs. Their local

knowledge, enthusiasm and generosity made a significant contribution to the success of the week. We would also like to thank the Derwent Sailing Squadron for generously providing a berth for Kayle from late December through to mid-February. Having Kayle based in Hobart during this period was invaluable in supporting the campaign and making our programs possible. The Hobart Campaign demonstrated once again what can be achieved through the combined efforts of participants, schools, volunteers and our generous supporters. We are extremely grateful to everyone who helped make the week such a success.

NORTHERN CAMPAIGN

For our volunteer crews, the opportunity to visit new destinations, meet new communities and introduce more young people to sailing made the campaign particularly rewarding. Seeing the excitement of young people stepping aboard Kayle, discovering the boat and experiencing life on the water was a highlight for our volunteer crews. Their smiles and enthusiasm demonstrated the impact of providing experiences that may otherwise have been out of reach.

PROGRAMS

A highlight of the Northern Campaign was competing in the Gold Coast to Mackay Race. The race provided an exciting offshore experience for the crew and was a great opportunity to support Mackay Marina, which has generously supported Making Waves Foundation throughout our years of visiting the region. For many of our volunteers, the race also provided a valuable introduction to offshore competition — an opportunity that some may not otherwise have had. The 2025 Northern Campaign was made possible by volunteers across our five locations, whose commitment and enthusiasm ensured we could continue reaching communities along the coast. The Northern Campaign continues to demonstrate the power of taking sailing beyond our home waters — connecting communities, inspiring young people and creating opportunities for more people to experience the freedom and excitement of life on the water.

378

PARTICIPANTS

EVENTS & CAMPAIGNS | Northern Campaign

The 2025 Northern Campaign took Making Waves Foundation on an exciting journey along the east coast, visiting Airlie Beach, Mackay, Gladstone, Roslyn Bay, Southport and Coffs Harbour. The campaign saw MWF visit Airlie Beach and Gladstone for the first time, while also making a welcome return to Coffs Harbour after missing the previous year while works were being completed at the marina.

DESTINATIONS

PORTS OF CALL

Airlie Beach

Mackay

Gladstone

Roslyn Bay

Southport

Coffs Harbour

COUNTLESS NEW EXPERIENCES 43

INAUGURAL MELBOURNE MAKING WAVES REGATTA

EVENTS & CAMPAIGNS | Melbourne Regatta

The first-ever Melbourne Making Waves Regatta was a wonderful celebration of community, inclusion and sailing, bringing together 150 attendees for a memorable day on and off the water. Despite Melbourne’s famously unpredictable weather delivering heavy winds that kept the fleet ashore, the conditions did not dampen the enthusiasm of participants and supporters. Instead, the day transformed into a vibrant indoor celebration featuring maritime trivia, knottying challenges, scavenger hunts and a fiercely contested spinnaker-packing competition.

The success of the event was driven by the incredible energy and generosity of everyone involved. Our outstanding MC, Dee Mason, kept the crowd entertained throughout the day, while the Army Band delivered a fantastic performance that added to the atmosphere. The generous support of our auction and raffle contributors, along with the enthusiasm of all who attended, helped turn a weatheraffected regatta into a truly memorable occasion.

We were delighted to welcome a number of special guests and supporters, including: • Cr Alex Makin – Mayor, City of Port Phillip • Timothy Cortese – Beaufort (Survitec) • Mark Watson – Beaufort (Survitec)

• Rob Dunbar – AMT (Making Waves Foundation Volunteer) • Catherine Ho – Marian & EH Flack Trust (Grant Partner)

• David McNamara – Primary Club of Australia (Grant Partner)

• Cherry Birch – Commodore, Royal Melbourne Yacht Squadron • Phil Francis – Vice Commodore, Royal Geelong Yacht Club • Rod Austin – General Manager, Australian Sailing Victoria

• Cyrus Allen – Commodore, Ocean Racing Club of Victoria The inaugural Melbourne Making Waves Regatta showcased the strength of the sailing community and the shared commitment to creating inclusive opportunities on the water. While the boats may have stayed ashore, the spirit of the event was very much afloat.

SYDNEY MAKING WAVES REGATTA skippers created a vibrant atmosphere both on and off the water. The Halloween theme added an extra element of fun and engagement, with guests embracing the spirit of the day. Highlights included a live auction and entertainment, a spectator boat experience, strong media exposure through the Sydney Morning Herald and Channel 10, and the opportunity for our community to come together in support of inclusive sailing.

EVENTS & CAMPAIGNS | Sydney Regatta

The Sydney Making Waves Regatta, held on Friday 31 October 2025, was a fantastic celebration of sailing, community and inclusion, with 22 boats and 180 guests joining us at the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia (CYCA) for a memorable Halloween-themed regatta. The event was a great success, marking the highest number of boats participating in four years and showcasing the incredible support of the sailing community. The enthusiasm of our guests, partners, volunteers and

We were delighted to welcome a number of special guests and supporters, including: • Mary-Lou Carter – Councillor for Vaucluse

• Richard Glover OAM – Deputy President, The Primary Club of Australia • Geoff Verco – Charity Development Manager, The Primary Club of Australia

• James Mayo – Co-Skipper of Master Lock Comanche and NSW Sailor of the Year • Six Commodores representing the strength and support of the sailing community

• Derick Borean – Sub-Committee Chair, The Primary Club of Australia The positive feedback received from guests and partners reflected the success of the event and the impact of bringing people together through sailing. The Sydney Making Waves Regatta once again demonstrated the generosity of the sailing community and its commitment to creating meaningful opportunities for people of all abilities to experience the joy and freedom of being on the water. 45

QUEENSLAND CHRISTMAS WAGS The Queensland Christmas WAGS was a wonderful celebration of sailing, community and generosity, held on 17 December to support the Making Waves Foundation. The final WAGS event of the year saw 35 boats take to the water, with all proceeds from the event donated to MWF. Adding to the excitement of the day was the popular Spin and Win Wheel, which gave skippers the chance to increase or decrease their handicaps. The feature quickly became a highlight of the morning, with many skippers returning time and time again to test their luck and improve their chances.

EVENTS & CAMPAIGNS | Queensland Christmas WAGS

Despite challenging weather conditions, the event was filled with fun, laughter and plenty of festive spirit. The enthusiasm and generosity of the sailing community

turned a difficult day on the water into a memorable occasion, demonstrating once again the incredible support and camaraderie that exists within the Queensland sailing community. A very special thank you goes to Karen Baldwin and the team at Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron (RQYS) for their ongoing commitment and unwavering support of the Making Waves Foundation. Their continued generosity and dedication help us deliver life-changing sailing experiences for people of all abilities. The Queensland Christmas WAGS was a fantastic example of how the sailing community can come together to create meaningful impact while sharing the joy and spirit of the sport we all love.

A DAY OF CONNECTION ON THE WATER

The day was a powerful celebration of inclusion, resilience and the transformative impact of time spent on the water. Through adaptive sport and shared experiences, participants had the opportunity to connect with one another, challenge themselves and experience the sense of freedom and achievement that sailing can provide. For Making Waves Foundation, the visit highlighted the core values that underpin our programs — creating opportunities for people of all abilities to participate, build confidence and discover new possibilities. The experience demonstrated how sailing can be a powerful tool for connection, wellbeing and personal growth.

EVENTS & CAMPAIGNS | A Day of Connection on the Water

In April 2026, Making Waves Foundation was honoured to welcome Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, aboard Kayle for a special sailing experience with participants from the Invictus Games.

The presence of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex reinforced the importance of adaptive sport in supporting recovery, rebuilding confidence and bringing people together through shared experiences. It was a memorable day aboard Kayle, showcasing the healing power of connection, community and the water.

COMMUNITY 48

PARTICIPANTS A Absolute Care Plus Adventure Out Alesco Senior College Angels On Wheels Anson Street Special School Aspect - KSK Autism Spectrum Australia Aspect Central Coast School

B Barwon Valley School Bass High School Bidwill Public School

C Calamvale special school Callaghan College Wallsend Canterbury Boys High School Carinity Education Gladstone Carinity Education- Glenlee Carinya School Centennial Park School Changing Tracks Disability Services Chisholm TAFE Cire Community School Coffs Harbour High School Co-Hive Condell Park High School Cottage By The Sea Creating Links

COMMUNITY | Schools

Cromehurst School

D Darling Point Special School Disability Services Group

E Eileen O’Connor Catholic College Endeavour Foundation

Engedi Mackay Ethnic Community Services

Jennings Street School

K Kamaruka Education Centre

Fisher Road School

Karningul School

Fisher Road Special School

Karonga School

Five Islands School

Keira High School

G Giant Steps Melbourne

Key Community Group Kogarah High School

Glendale East Public School

Glenella State School Mackay

Leisure Networks

Goodwood Primary School

Lindisfarne Primary School

Gorokan High School

Logan City Special School

Granville South CAPA High School

LUBANA CARE PTY LTD

GRE8 CAPABLE ME GEELONG Guide Dogs NSW & ACT Gumdale State School

M Mackay District Special School Mackay State High School

Maitland Grossman High School - Support

Hamlyn Views School

Matraville Sports High School

Hampton East School

Melton Specialist School

Heatherwood School

Monday Matters

Holmesglen Institute

Montague School

Holmesglen TAFE

Morisset High School

Homebush Boys High School

MOSS

Homeschool/ Distance Education

Multicap organisation

Hunter River Community School

Hunter Sports High School

NBSC Cromer

Newcastle High School

Inala Indie School Integrative Psychotherapy (Blanca Ramos)

J Jabiru Community College Jasmine Unit Brain Injury Rehabilitation Jasper Road Public School

Nelson Park School Newcastle Senior School North Academy Northern School For Autism

O Oberon Public School Officer Specialist School One Door Mental Health-NOUS Program

P Padstow Park Public School

Southern Autistic School Southern Support School

Special Olympics Mackay Fire

Vietnamese families with Special Needs

Spectrum Victoria

Vincentia High School

Private Disability Group

Springfield Gardens Primary School

St Johns Park High School

Phoenix Place Inc Pioneer State High School Pittwater High School

Rads Whitsunday Redlands Special School Rockhampton Special School Rosny College

Springvale Park SDS St Josephs College Newtown ST THERESE’S CATHOLIC SCHOOL Stanmore Public School STRIDE

Wairoa School Wangee Park School Warrah Specialist School William Bayldon Public School William Carey Christian School Woniora Road School

Surf Coast Secondary College

Woonona High School

Swansea High School

Saints College - Geelong Campus

Yarraville SDS

Sena Care PTY LTD

The Hills School

Rossbourne School

Shortland Public School Singleton High School Sir Joseph Banks High School South Grafton High School

Tallowood School The Ponds High School

Your Beautiful Mind Youth Off The Streets The Bowen College

The Ponds School The Salvation Army - Riverview Campus

COMMUNITY | Partners

PARTNERS

COMMUNITY | Grants

The Grangers Foundation

VOLUNTEER MILESTONES 1 YEAR

Alan Scott

Deborah Steele

Maggie Loaney

Andrew Goodman

Denise Smeaton

Marcus Robertson

Amberley Brady Andy Connolly

Angelina Malcher Anthony Orr

Bradley Hoppen

Cameron HamiltonSimpson Catherine James Claire Kenney

Claudia Aliberti Craig Harris

David Dredge

Ewen Ross

Hendrik Zeeman Janine Ritchie Jeff Young

Jeffrey Challis Jens Als

Jessica Van Beek John Morton Jordi Martin

David McGowan David Watt

Lindsay (Mike) Ellis

5 YEARS

Alyson Gearing

COMMUNITY | Volunteer Milestones

Derick Borean

Karin SeverinCaneborg

David Redfern

Debra Yates

Kevin James Swain

Annette Cross

Joachim Juergen Schoen

Chin Siang Beh

Kathleen Gough

Dennis Hume

Linda Wells

Antonia Patterson

Julie Routledge

David Leavesley

Kevin Gray

Ian Duff

Mark Clement

10 YEARS

Marc Hundleby

Melissa Warren

Monique Harmer

Nathan Stapleton Nik Payten

Pauline Markwell Renee Godress

Robyn Richmund

Shiva Seoidkavya

Stephen Fankhauser Steven Mentha Susan Mackay

Suzanne Brown

Tricia Rubenstein

Michael Eselgroth Richard Tagg Scott Knights

Sharon Lovell Toni Fox

Craig Nobbs

Ian Barnett

Mary-Anne Purkiss

Graham Kemp

Mark Richards

Susan Roberts

Deborah Miyashita

15 YEARS

David Leslie

Graham Clarke 25 YEARS

Mim Kane

Kerry Wood

James Igoe

Kimberly Vinette Herrin

Richard Tainsh

COMMUNITY | Volunteers

OUR VOLUNTEER COMMUNITY

284 total volunteers

176 male

108 female

VOLUNTEERS BY STATE NSW

59%

VIC

27%

QLD

14%

VOLUNTEER ROLES CL1

106

CL2

CL3

2IC

SKIPPER

AMBASSADORS & PATRONS Patron

Her Excellency the Honourable Ms Sam Mostyn AC

COMMUNITY | Ambassadors & Patrons

Ambassadors

Malcolm Turnbull AC

John Bertrand AO

Bryan Dorman

Peter Lewis

David Preston

Nathan Stapleton

Secretary

Paul D’Arcy

Dr. James Hunter

David Redfern

Dr. Moya Molloy

Yvonne White

Maureen Scott

Wendy Tuck

Peter Laver AM President

Amberley Brady

Vice President

Treasurer

COMMUNITY | Directors & Staff

Directors

Staff

Gareth Hogan General Manager

Member Services Manager

Sailing Manager

Natalie Herity

Shane Greaves

Rachel Ward

Jeff Young

Natasja McClay

State Manager, QLD

State Manager, NSW

Program Manager

State Manager, VIC

Fundraising & Engagement Manager

FINANCIAL 58

TREASURER’S REPORT The 2025–26 financial year marked a strong financial recovery for Making Waves Foundation, with the Foundation recording a surplus of $220,928, compared with a deficit of $81,576 in the previous year. Total revenue increased to $1.793 million, up from $1.609 million in 2024–25, while expenditure was contained across several categories. This result reflects an improved financial position, which strengthens the Foundation’s capacity to deliver sailing experiences for people with disability and those experiencing social challenges. At 30 June 2026, the Foundation reported net assets of $870,455, an increase of $220,929 over the previous year. Cash and cash equivalents stood at $455,532, while total liabilities decreased to $99,663 from $408,323. While the operating result was positive, cash balances declined during the year, highlighting the importance of continued cash-flow management and stewardship of funds. I thank the Board, management, staff, donors, grant providers, sponsors, supporters and volunteers for their commitment to the Foundation. Your contributions enable Making Waves Foundation to continue its important work.

Nathan Stapleton

FINANCIAL | Treasurer’s Report

Snapshot of Financial Report

To view the full report, please click here

www.makingwaves.au/annual-report-and-constitution/#FinancialReports

Treasurer

GOVERNANCE

2026 TO 2030 STRATEGY OUR VISION

Young Australians who are experiencing disability, disadvantage and disengagement are inspired and empowered through sailing and maritime experiences.

STRATEGIC PILLARS

OUR PRO

Provide meaningful sailing and maritim

OUR VOLUNTEERS

Build a suitably qualified and diverse mix of volunteers who feel empowered to deliver all programs.

OUR F

Maintain a fleet tha and affo

ENAB

IMPACT MEASUREMENT

Use actionable data to inform strategy and validate meaningful outcomes to improve decision making and support organisational sustainability.

PARTNE

Establish national an partnerships that sup progr

OUR MISSION

OGRAMS

me programs at no cost to participants.

FLEET

at is fit for purpose ordable.

OUR OPERATIONS

Operate a national network of programs at optimal capacity to enable safe, impactful sailing and maritime experiences.

BLERS

ERSHIPS

nd local operational pport delivery of MWF rams

FUNDING

Establish a broad funding base that delivers financial sustainability and supports future growth by 2030.

STRATEGIC OUTCOMES OUR PROGRAMS

Provide meaningful sailing and maritime programs at no cost to participants. 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4

Measurable improvements in outcomes for most participants behaviour (e.g., attitudes, aspirations etc.)

MWF provides suitable opportunities to move into further experiences in sailing or maritime pathways MWF operations(e.g., volunteering, employment, club sailing) MWF programs are recognised for their quality by providing exemplary inclusive practices and research and evidence based outcomes. Governance of MWF programs assures sustainable, consistent national delivery.

OUR VOLUNTEERS

Build a suitably qualified and diverse mix of volunteers who feel empowered to deliver all programs. 2.1

Our volunteer base is stable, skilled and well-supported with nationally consistent training and locally tailored mentoring

2.2 Clear understanding of the volunteer landscape(e.g., tracking data, age, gender, heritage) 2.3 Determined size of volunteer pool to operate efficiently 2.4 Robust recruitment and development strategy 2.5 Increased retention rate e.g. 95%

2.6 Volunteers have flexibility in program involvement

2.7 Robust recognition strategy (aligned to milestones, useful rewards)

2.8 Implement a membership benefits arrangement in collaboration with Partners

OUR FLEET

Maintain a fleet that is fit for purpose and affordable. 3.1

A set of design features for our fleet that are determined by clearly defined program and environmental needs at each site

3.2 Develop an acquisition strategy for incremental fleet replacement

3.3 Identify and implement opportunities for partial program delivery through collaboration arrangements 3.4 Flexible deployment to optimise logistics support and minimise operating costs 3.5 Expand Fleet commensurate with program requirements and locations

OUR OPERATIONS

Operate a national network of programs at optimal capacity to enable safe, impactful sailing and maritime experiences. 4.1

One national operational framework, with local flexibility that supports stakeholder needs and meets performance targets

4.2 All core systems, processes, policies, capabilities in place to effectively run the organisation Data insights drive continuous improvement enabling evidence-based planning decisions, 4.3 reduce cost per participant toaverage $200 We have identified and implemented opportunities for expansion of operating sites and 4.4 programs in collaboration with new delivery partners

IMPACT MEASUREMENT

Use actionable data to inform strategy and validate meaningful outcomes to improve decision making and support organisational sustainability. 5.1

Enabled sustainable funding through targeted partners

5.2 Reduction in all risks (financial, operational and reputational) 5.3 Improved operational efficiency to inform best practice

5.4 Developed a single ‘source of truth’ (e.g. MWF app or CRM) 5.5 Access to accurate and meaningful data sets

5.6 Improved brand awareness through research and marketing

FUNDING

Establish a broad funding base that delivers financial sustainability and supports future growth by 2030. 6.1

Partner of choice for corporate and philanthropic organisations seeking to improve disability, disadvantage or disengagement

6.2 Grow our surplus to 15% of revenue by 2030

6.3 A network of engaged ‘ambassadors’ that actively promote MWF

6.4 An annual impact report that is an effectivefundraising and engagement tool 6.5 Each program has a long-term funding partner

6.6 A diverse funding model (grants 40%, merchandise, partnerships and investment 60%)

PARTNERSHIPS

Establish national and local operational partnerships that support delivery of MWF programs 7.1

Partner of choice for Sailing Clubs, Schools, other Youth Service delivery and Marine Industry entities aligned with MWF Mission

7.2 A network of engaged ‘ambassadors’ that promote MWF

7.3 Cultivate agreements with Partners to provide national and/or local non-financial support to program delivery

7.4 Participate in conferences and association meetings to increase active support of MWF program

7.5 Identify and establish relationships with partners for collaboration in new locations

Together, we’re making waves — and changing lives. SOCIALS making.waves.foundation.aus @making.waves.foundation makingwavesfoundation @makingwavesaus CONTACT US 0421 725 170 | info@makingwaves.au HEAD OFFICE Level 1, 1C New Beach Road, Darling Point NSW 2027