Ian & Shirley Norman Foundation

NEWCASTLE 😁 Our purple containers were delivered to our site this week. It is a very exciting development and a first step in setting up our Wright of Passage site. Student trial days are scheduled for early December and we are taking applications from interested students. We officially launch our program early in Term 1, 2025 empowering youth experiencing disadvantage to acquire valuable trade and work ready skills, paving the way for their future success. We thank the Ian & Shirley Norman Foundation for their generous support in providing funding for our essential resources that includes our containers, tools and a dedicated workspace at their headquarters. We can’t wait to officially launch our program and welcome our first intake of students. I wonder what the students will name their first Rainbow Dinghy? ℹ www.makingwaves.au ✉ info@makingwaves.au #youthdevelopment #makingwaves #isnf #newcastle #boatbuilding #rainbowdinghy

🌟 What an incredible honour to accept the the very first Gold Australian Geographic Award for Nature! We are deeply humbled by this recognition and the generosity behind it. The $50,000 grant will significantly aid our mission to collect all Great Barrier Reef coral species by 2026. 🪸 Biobanking is becoming an essential strategy for wildlife conservation in Australia, especially as we face an uncertain future. Our project focuses on live corals, while other initiatives explore frozen coral tissue, high-altitude tropical plants, and various frog species. Yet, there’s so much more to be done, and time is of the essence. While we often hear about climate change and its effects, we must also consider the broader implications for our natural ecosystems. The ongoing changes threaten biodiversity and, ultimately, the stability of our ecosystems. We must act now to halt biodiversity loss through intervention projects like ours, all while tackling climate change on both national and global fronts. Only by addressing these issues together can we secure a proud future for our children. 🌏❤️ I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to the GBR Legacy and Forever Reef teams, as well as all our partners, sponsors, and supporters. Building Australia’s only living coral biobank is a monumental effort that requires a resilient community. Each of you plays a vital role, and your dedication makes this journey truly rewarding. Thank you! 🙏 Finally, I dedicate this award to the late John Rumney, 2019 recipient of the Australian Geographic Lifetime of Conservation Award, our founder, mentor, and dear friend. His legacy inspires us all, and I know he would be proud of our achievements and the future we’re working to secure for coral reefs. As our motto says... together, there are no Barriers too Great to save our Reefs! -Dr Dean Miller Managing Director Video : Australian Geographic Ian & Shirley Norman Foundation M&C Saatchi Group AUNZ Triton Applied Reef Bioscience GmbH Queensland Water and Land Carers Marini Ferlazzo Crystalbrook Superyacht Marina OSW GoodWe Fordable Property & Finance ENTHDEGREE LIMITED SIN Eyewear Cairns Aquarium and Reef Research Centre RED SEA AQUATICS (UK) LIMITED Risen Energy Coral Expeditions Contreras Earl Architecture Douglas Shire Council Tourism Port Douglas Daintree (TPDD) Tourism Port Douglas Daintree (TPDD) Cairns Marine Pty Ltd Sustainable Reefs ENTITY design studio Calypso Reef Cruises Miller Harris Lawyers MinterEllison 4planet Australia Sol Energy BAUER Kompressoren Group Everclime Climate Council

We are thrilled to announce, Food Ladder just won the AFR BOSS Most Innovative Companies award in the Government, Education & Not-For-Profit category. Our AI-driven greenhouses are revolutionising food access in remote communities while serving as interactive classrooms. As our founder Kelly McJannett says: "It's like an oasis for these communities... It fills the children with pride. A lot of these kids have never grown anything before, so it unlocks this magic in their mind. They fall in love with healthy food." Our greenhouses are climate-controlled, which means they can grow food year-round in any conditions and are future-proofed for global warming. “Food Ladder….is becoming a preventative measure in climate change. We’re safeguarding communities,” McJannett says. Thank you to our incredible partners, supporters, and the communities who've embraced this innovation. Together, we're growing more than just food - we're changing the way Australia eats. Big thanks to The Australian Financial Review and Cognizant for this auspicious award. #AFRBOSS #Innovation #AI #Socialchange #Foodsecurity #Sustainableagriculture #Communitydevelopment #SDG #ESG

URGENT - WE NEED YOUR HELP!   We are in desperate need of items for babies Cots and Bassinets Carseats (0-4 years or capsules) Prams (newborn suitable and doubles) We currently have 11 babies on our waitlist who are waiting for a place to sleep and/or safe pram or carseat! We are desperate for your help. Can you tag a friend below who has a baby who may be moving out of their bassinet or upgrading their carseat or pram? Can you share this post with you local groups?   Can you imagine having brought a baby home or relocating quickly due to domestic violence and having nowhere to put your baby to sleep safely and get rest yourself? We hear stories of mums not sleeping due to the stress of not being able to put their baby to sleep in a safe, clean cot or bassinet. Staying awake worrying or watching their baby. Getting some sleep when you welcome a new baby is priceless. Having a safe sleep space for your baby to prevent risks of SIDS, and accidental falls or injuries is essential.   The stress of having a new baby and having no carseat to leave the hospital? Or the stress of not being able to get your doctors appointment or get to the shops for something like a loaf of bread when you have no car, and you feel isolated without a safe way to take your baby out without a working practical pram? These are the mums and carers we are tying to assist with the basic essentials every baby deserves.   Every baby deserves a safe clean space to sleep and we need your help urgently to make that happen!   If you have a cot that meets the following criteria, please send it our way: Less than 15 years old Manufactured in Australia No damage, splits or chunks removed from the wood (a small number of teething marks are fine) Mattresses must be stain free. Bassinets must have a sturdy base 4 completely mesh sides clean mattress and fabric  Carseats (harnessed only) Not been in accident Manufactured after October 2016 Free of mould or visible damage   If you have questions, please reach out and we can confirm if we can take it.   We accept donations at our space at 80 Beaurepaire Cres, Holt during the following times:  Mondays: 10am – 1pm  Tuesdays: closed  Wednesdays: 10am – 1pm  Thursdays: 10am – 1pm  Fridays: 10am – 1pm  Saturdays: 1pm – 4pm.