What is #AWBFnextgen?

#AWBFnextgen is the first official Australian Wooden Boat Festival campaign aimed at supporting and promoting wooden boat and maritime culture to young people.

MAKE A TAX DEDUCTIBLE DONATION HERE

We all know that encouraging younger generations to get involved benefits everyone. It leads to a culture of intergenerational cooperation, trust and respect that has positive impacts across society. For the AWBF it also means creating a legacy that helps sustain the festival and keeps our community alive.

After consulting with “old sea dogs” and master mariners, it was agreed that more should be done to encourage and motivate the younger generations (apparently any person under ''40ish'' years of age!) to not only get involved in the AWBF but wooden boats and maritime culture in general.

So, we make this commitment to you: AWBF will strive to further develop programs and activities that excite, engage and educate the next generation. But we can only do it with your help. Take a look below to see the types of programs you can support via the #AWBFnextgen campaign or click on the button below to make a donation.

All donations over $2 are tax deductible through a partnership between AWBF and the Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal (FRRR). Donations go directly towards running #AWBFnextgen projects.

To make a tax-deductible donation to AWBF, click on the button below. You will be taken to the FRRR donation page. Here you can nominate your donation amount through the Australian Wooden Boat Festival Inc Not-For-Profit Fundraising Account with the FRRR and enter your payment details.

The Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal (FRRR) (ABN 27 091 810 589) is a charitable foundation based on partnerships between philanthropy, community, government and business. FRRR partners with Australian Wooden Boat Festival Inc to assist in the fundraising for the organisation’s activities as charitable projects in line with FRRR’s purposes, through a Not-for-Profit Fundraising Account. Donations made into the FRRR Public Fund with a request that it is granted to AWBF are tax deductible because of FRRR’s tax status. For more information about FRRR please go to https://frrr.org.au/giving/helping-community-organisations/

DONATE HERE - THE FUTURE IS IN YOUR HANDS

If you have a story to share or an #AWBFnextgen idea, please share it with us via email - office@awbf.org.au

"I believe that the biggest challenge I have faced is the learning curve. Coming from a background with no sailing experience, it was difficult ‘learning the ropes’ in such a fast-paced and unfamiliar environment.

But that is when having such a supportive crew makes all the difference, because those challenges become exciting. Each day, I look forward to learning something new on the Lady Nelson, and while it can be tough, that just makes it all the more rewarding!"

- Chloe James, volunteer on Tall Ship Lady Nelson

#AWBFNEXTGEN
My First Boat

My First Boat Project (4-10 years)

Adult and child teams work together to build a small child-size boat at home and bring it to the Festival for decorating and its exciting first launch! My First Boat kits, instructions, and guidance are all provided by our team in the lead-up to the Festival.
Quick & Dirty Challenge

Quick & Dirty Boat Building Challenge (10-15 years)

Student teams join forces to construct a boat on site during the Festival. On the final day, they race under the propulsion of sail and oar, watched by thousands of spectators at Hobart’s iconic Constitution Dock.
Scouts

Sort it out for the Scouts (8-18 years)

Scouts and AWBF unite in this very important environmental sustainability project.''Sort it out for the Scouts'' takes a holistic approach to coordinating the Festival's waste management activities while educating the public about recycling and sorting.
Young Sailor

Young Leaders of the Sea (18-23 years)

A Tasmanian youth development project focused on fostering seafaring skills and an inclusive maritime culture. The project will provide youths from regional or diverse backgrounds, the opportunity to crew a Tall Ship and embark on an incredible voyage from their home ports to Hobart as part of the 2025 Australian Wooden Boat Festival.
Musicians

Entertainment & Education Program (0-40 years)

AWBF’s Youth Entertainment and Education program seeks to engage young people with wooden boat and maritime culture through arts, live performance and hands-on activities. The program also provides a platform to support and showcase the creativity and talent of young and up-and-coming Tasmanian artists.
20230212_Alex-Nicholson,WBC,10-27-47

Noisy Boatyard & Shipwright's Village (16-40 years)

Offering a range of unique, structured workshops targeted at adolescents and young adults that build skills and knowledge in disciplines that are complementary to wooden boat building and maritime crafts. Young shipwrights and artisans are also encouraged to share their skills at the festival through demonstrations and activations.

Thank you to our #AWBFnextgen Supporters

The AWBF is extremely grateful to have the support of our donors. Their generous donations and support of #AWBFnextgen will help to promote wooden boats and maritime culture to young people, and in doing so, support the festival and its legacy.

Thank you to all our donors below from the bottom of our holds!

Andrew Cannon
Andrew Wilson
Annie Venables
Brenton Thorp
Chris Davis
Derek Cockle
Graham Kent
Grant Dawson
Jacqui Abbott
Joy Phillips
Paul Van der Zant
Paul Stephanus
Peter Curtis
Richard Lea
Simon Rush
Sonia Shimeld
Stephen Bristow
Tim Wayper
Tom McDevitt