SONY FOUNDATION AUSTRALIA 2022
IMPACT
REPORT

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Sony Foundation acknowledges and pays respect to the Gadigal peoples of the Eora Nations, the Traditional Owners of the country on which Sony Foundation’s office is located and we pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging. Sony Foundation extends that respect to all Traditional Owners of the land on which Sony Foundation spaces are located and programs operate.

Sony Foundation is committed to improving health and social equity for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth, working with program partners on the ground to adapt our service models to meet the needs of Indigenous Australians, while simultaneously maintaining respect for traditional culture and community connection.

OUR MISSION IS TO IMPROVE THE
HEALTH & WELLBEING OF YOUNG AUSTRALIANS IN NEED.

We take on the big issues, ones that are often overlooked by society. Through engaged philanthropy and collaboration, we endeavour to positively influence society through social change and positive emotion to empower the next generation. We seek to be the voice for our young people, championing equitable health and wellbeing outcomes for young Australians.

SUSTAINABILITY STATEMENT

Sony Foundation, supported by the Sony group of companies in Australia, commits to creating positive social change in the lives of young Australians in need. Together, with our corporate partner network, we acknowledge the responsibility to address social issues, and deliver meaningful outcomes to enable a sustainable and healthy society.

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS

Sony Foundation acknowledges the responsibility to support the advancement of the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals, in all aspects of our operations. In FY22, Sony Foundation identified Goals 2, 3, 4 and 10 as most relevant to the implementation of our youth-focused health and wellbeing initiatives. Sony Foundation strived to support the advancement of these goals and to mobilise sustainable social impact.

OUR IMPACT FY22

51

Partner Network

51 Media and Corporate Partners donated funds, services and assets.

$118,000

Pro Bono Services

$118,000+ received in pro bono and donated goods and services from our Media and Corporate Partner network enabling greater investment into youth causes.

$2,200,000+

Donated

$2,200,000+ donated to capital building projects and youth services to create social change and opportunities for young Australians. With a further $1,600,000+ committed to future initiatives.

$2,000,000+

Fundraising Events

$2,000,000+ raised through Sony Foundation’s major annual fundraising events, Wharf4Ward and River4Ward, and events in collaboration with our partners.

$550,000+

Philanthropic Gifts and Grants

$550,000+ in major gifts and grants donated to our programs from philanthropic supporters.

$1,084,880+

Accommodation Provided

$1,084,880+ in free accommodation provided to regional youth cancer patients, and their families/carers.

OUR LEADERS

CATHY O'CONNOR, CHAIR

Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director,
oOh!media Pty Ltd

SOPHIE RYAN

Chief Executive Officer,
Sony Foundation Australia

"Sony Foundation is an organisation truly greater than the sum of its parts.

Driven by passion and committed to purpose, we are dedicated to delivering impactful outcomes to our supporters, partners and to the young people who need us....

...We can do better together."

OUR PROGRAMS

We take on the big issues that affect the lives of young Australians with cancer, disability, experiencing homelessness or disadvantage, and affected by natural disasters. We seek to be the voice for our young people, a leader of the cause and invest funds in the solutions to improve their health and wellbeing.

OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS

 

CATHY O'CONNOR

Chair

Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director,
oOh!media Pty Ltd

stephen basil-jones

Director

Executive Vice President, Australia &
New Zealand,
Sony Pictures Releasing

YUZO OTSUKI

Director

Managing Director,
Sony Australia &
New Zealand

Goncalo Fialho

Director

General Manager,
Sony Interactive Entertainment Australia & New Zealand

DR DAVID ROSENGREN

Director

Chief Operating Officer,
Queensland Health

LOU BARRETT

Director

Managing Director National Sales,
News Corp Australia

MARK FENNESSY AM

Director

Chairman,
Helium Limited

Michael Fuller APM

Outgoing Director (April 2022)

Partner, Advisory,
PwC Australia

VANESSA PICKEN

Incoming Director

Chair and CEO,
Sony Music Entertainment Australia and
New Zealand

Youth Cancer

Our You Can program addresses a gap in equitable health care for 15-25-year-olds diagnosed with cancer by funding: age-appropriate youth cancer centres in public adult hospitals; specialised services; research; and accommodation for regional youth cancer patients and their families.


CORRESPONDING UNITED NATIONS SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOAL

OUR IMPACT IN FY22

7,065

Nights of free accommodation provided by You Can Stay

120+

Patients, and their families, supported by You Can Stay

28

Hospital partners across Australia

5

You Can Centres in operation

2

National awareness and fundraising campaigns

“…‘If you look for the light, you can often find it. But if you look towards the darkness, it is all you will ever see’. The Brisbane You Can Centre was a source of light for me in a time when the darkness seemed to surround me. I can’t thank the Sony Foundation enough for all they’ve done to support young people fighting cancer.”

Sally Coates, 25, youth cancer survivor.

YOU CAN HIGHLIGHTS

Despite the hardship and setbacks of a year dominated by the restrictions of the pandemic, Sony Foundation, with support from our partners, celebrated some incredible achievements. Most notably, the opening of our fifth You Can Centre and the launch of an innovative retail fundraising campaign in collaboration with Sony Music artists to support You Can Stay.

Our Sydney You Can Centre at Chris O’Brien Lifehouse was officially opened in April 2022 to cancer patients aged 15-25 years by The Hon Dominic Perrottet MP, Premier of NSW and The Hon Brad Hazzard MP, NSW Minister for Health. Not only a social haven away from the wards for patients to find peer support, this You Can Centre is the first to offer accommodation for regional youth cancer patients, and their families/carer.

"I genuinely do think the 'You Can Centre' has not only the ability to change lives, but also save them.”

– Elliot Prasad, You Can Champion

540

Adolescent and young adult cancer patients supported each year at the Sydney You Can Centre, Camperdown

762

Metres squared, the largest You Can Centre in Australia

4

Self-contained accommodation suites for regional patients, and their families/carers

$1.5 Million

Donated by Sony Foundation, and an additional $500,000 by NSW Government

5th

You Can Centre in Sony Foundation’s national network

“We understand the strain that travelling for treatment can place on regional families, so the additional accommodation support that the You Can Centre is offering will enable families to focus on treatment and recovery, with one less stress.”

The Hon Dominic Perrottet MP, Premier of NSW

KAI

Sydney, NSW
Age: 27
Age at Diagnosis: 24

“I definitely did not think I would be sitting in a Sony Music recording studio while having chemo. Having cancer is probably one of the most boring existences you can have, but having all these activities available and keeping your mind active is one of the most important things for me.”

BRODIE

Kangarilla, South Australia
Age: 20
Distance from home: 1,346km
Nights away from home: 17

“The You Can Centre feels like a second home. Having somewhere for Mum and Dad to stay is unbelievable. To have treatment and for them to just come downstairs, it's been amazing having that support around me.”

On a mission to help young Aussies beat cancer by relieving some of the financial and emotional stress of travelling for treatment, Sony Foundation partnered with Cotton On to launch the ‘Sleep Exchange’ charity pyjama collection. The limited range featured designs from internationally renowned Sony Music artists including The Foo Fighters, Slash and Amy Shark.

100% of proceeds from the range will fund nights of accommodation for regional youth cancer patients through Sony Foundation’s You Can Stay program.

"I’ve always believed in the ability of music to get you through tough times, and now I hope these PJs can do the same. I’m stoked to be involved with my own set in the range alongside legends like Slash and Foo Fighters.”

– Amy Shark, Sony Music Entertainment Australia, Artist

3

Sony Music artist designs:
Foo Fighters, Slash & Amy Shark

30+

Celebrity personalities, sporting greats and influencers engaged to support the campaign, with 22+ million in reach across social media

$1.3 Million

In donated media supporting the campaign with advertising across OOH, BVOD and Digital

30+

Campaign partners providing pro-bono services the campaign to life

CAMPAIGN PARTNERS

Youth Disability

Our Children’s Holiday Camp Program, affectionately known as ‘Sony Camp’, fills a gap for families/carers with children with disability to access free, overnight respite care. A unique model, where primary care is delivered by high school and university students creating opportunities for social connection in a safe and equitable environment, aiming to foster an inclusive culture that celebrates diversity.

Student carers undertake intensive learning and training to provide primary care, providing these students an invaluable insight into future career pathways to care for our most vulnerable, particularly people with disability.

In FY22, Sony Camps provided 400+ children with disability and complex needs the holiday of a lifetime, and a life-changing experience for 770+ high school and university students*.

CORRESPONDING UNITED NATIONS SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS

OUR IMPACT IN FY22

50+

Partner schools and universities

86%

of children with disability reported feeling happy after Sony Camp

62%

of student carers stated they would consider casual work in the disability sector following Sony Camp

23,900+

Hours of foundational disability support training provided to high school and university students

1st

Remote Sony Camp held in Kimberley Region, WA

* Due to COVID-19 Sony Foundation’s Children’s Holiday Camp numbers were reduced in line with Government regulations

“The Sony camp Camp is so important to our family, it gives a chance to focus on our other two boys 100% and to do spontaneous things. To be able do something as a family and to not have to forward plan, take in medical or environmental considerations is really appreciated. The uninterrupted sleep for two days is an added bonus. To be “off duty” for a moment is such a sweet blessing and gives you a moment to savour parenting in a different light. For Nate’s brothers to just be and to be heard. ”

PARENT OF CAMPER - SEPTEMBER 2021, QUEENSLAND

Youth Disaster Relief

Approximately 25% of young people suffer from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder following a natural disaster in their community, but are too often overlooked in recovery efforts. In the wake of large-scale natural disasters, Sony Foundation funds youth spaces and establishes programs that improve social connectedness, resilience, and wellbeing in communities. In FY22, Sony Foundation continued to support communities hardest hit by the Black Summer bushfires of 2019/2020.

CORRESPONDING UNITED NATIONS SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS

Our Impact in FY22

5

Communities visited by Musicians Making A Difference (MMAD) Bushfire Resilience Tour

3,160+

Youth supported

4

Youth Hubs/Sanctuaries Operational

1

Arts Festival Run by Mallacoota Youth Sanctuary

“I didn’t have any work ethic before I started and it use to be tough waking up and have nothing to look forward to. Now I love waking up, every day is a good day with BackTrack. I just needed a bit of guidance. I never really had anyone by my side to show me, and believe in me. It’s hard for kids growing up these days. It’s easy to go down the wrong path. It’s amazing to be opening up to the community so we can help more people. It feels really good.”

Jake Little, aged 16 from Tenterfield

Youth Marginalisation and
Mental Health

Musicians Making A Difference’s (‘MMAD’) ‘Catch A Falling STAR (Special, Traumatised & At-Risk)’ program is an intensive and innovative music and mentoring program. Designed to bridge a gap in youth programs that empower at-risk and vulnerable youth to break negative cycles of abuse and neglect, and ultimately prevent juvenile detention.

CORRESPONDING UNITED NATIONS SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS

Our Impact in FY22

139

Individual and group mentoring sessions

130

Crisis intervention
responses

90%

Of STARs accessed suicide prevention and mental health support

370+

Support packs provided, including education supplies, creative products, and/or crisis food

“I NEVER KNEW WHAT I WAS CAPABLE OF UNTIL I MET MMAD. NOW I KNOW THAT I CAN ACHIEVE ANYTHING.”

Graduate, ‘Catch A Falling STAR ( Special, Traumatised & At-Risk )’ Program

YOUTH DISADVANTAGE AND HOMELESSNESS

In partnership with Youth Off The Streets (YOTS), we address the need for practical and youth-focused social services to support homeless and disadvantaged young people across New South Wales.

CORRESPONDING UNITED NATIONS SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS

Our Impact in FY22

7,760+

Meal served to people experiencing homelessness by volunteers on the YOTS Food Van*

475+

Counselling hours provided to disadvantaged and vulnerable youth

145+

Hours of teacher support through the Sydney Schools Mental Health Program

1

Youth Education Scholarship awarded with two years of financial and mentoring support

“I wish there was a better way to say thank you. It truly means a lot, knowing that there are people cheering me on when I am either at my highest or lowest. It is such an honour and a privilege to be awarded a scholarship from Sony Foundation. Sony Foundation and YOTS have a special place in my heart. This is only just the beginning for me. I look forward to what the future holds.”

Jennifer, Scholarship Recipient

OUR COMMUNITIES

BETTER TOGETHER

Sony Foundation’s Media, Corporate and Philanthropic Partners are the backbone of the Foundation, donating time, assets, skills and funds to deliver social impact. We believe in collaboration to bring about greater impact, and that when we unite our diverse network, we can do so much more: better, together.

MEDIA AND CORPORATE PARTNERS

OUR PARTNERS

Sony Foundation’s Media and Corporate Partner network has been the backbone of the Foundation since its inception over 20 years ago. The diversity and scale of our partners is unrivalled in this country.

See the full list here:

OUR EVENTS

Many things changed during the pandemic, but one thing that remained the same, was our partner’s love for Sony Foundation’s iconic events. Returning with a bang once restrictions lifted in Sydney and Melbourne, our unrivalled events brought together a formidable network of over 200+ businesses, united in making a lasting social impact in the communities where we all operate.

After a two-year hiatus, Sydney’s long lunch, ‘Wharf4Ward’, returned in March 2022 and did not disappoint. Reuniting Sony Foundation’s partner network along the iconic Woolloomooloo Wharf, guests were treated to an entertainment extravaganza featuring live performances by celebrated Sony Music artists Daryl Braithwaite, Tones & I, Peking Duk and Isaiah Firebrace. A 100-strong dance troop took over the wharf in our ‘Sleep Exchange’ PJ range which officially launched that day.

A record-breaking number of TV and radio greats co-hosted the event including Nine’s Allison Langdon, Karl Stefanovic, Richard Wilkins AM, Brooke Boney, Ben Fordham, Peter Overton AM, Seven Network’s Sonia Kruger, Nova’s Fitzy and Wippa, Sky News’ Erin Molan, and Network 10’s Angela Bishop OAM and Matty J. Thanks to our generous donors and partners on the day who came together to raise a remarkable $1.2 million for Sony Foundation’s You Can Stay program.

Set against the Melbourne skyline and the glistening Yarra, 350 of Melbourne's leaders from the media and corporate industry rallied together to raise an extraordinary $480,000 for Sony Foundation's You Can Stay program.

Hosted in the sky at Crown’s Aviary, incredible entertainment moments included the legendary Sony Music Artist, Kate Ceberano inviting her daughter Gypsy to perform alongside her. And to close, an extended set by Conrad Sewell with a 13-piece band that had everyone out of their seats and up dancing. Celebrity hosts included: Seven Network’s Rebecca Maddern, Network 10’s Stephen Quartermain, Nine’s Richard Wilkins and Sarah Abo and Nova’s Chrissie Swan. Stars from Foxtel’s GoogleBox, Keith and Lee, and Tim and Leanne, also took part in the event wearing Sony Foundation’s limited-edition ‘Sleep Exchange’ charity pyjama range.

On March 17, 2022, the insurance industry came together at Bonnie Doon Golf Club, for a day of golf and giving at the inaugural You Can Golf Day. Thanks to longtime Sony Foundation supporter, Raj Nanra, CEO, SLE Holdings Pty Ltd, for his vision and dedication to establishing this event with his network of 120 executive golf enthusiasts.

The event raised funds for Sony Foundation’s You Can Stay program, providing 2,700 nights of accommodation for regional youth cancer patients. Two highlights from the day were the moving addresses from Raj on his family’s experience with youth cancer, and You Can Champion, Nikhil Autar, who was diagnosed with cancer at the age of 17. Through their courage in sharing their stories, they inspired attendees to dig deep to support regional families during difficult times.

INNOVATION AND COLLABORATION

Our partnerships come to life when we innovate, collaborate and engage with our communities to bring about social impact. Together, we have a shared mission to provide our next generation with a healthier, more equitable future.

Celebrating 11 years of collaboration, Sony Foundation partnered once again with the Sydney Sixers for the ‘Sixers Can, You Can’ campaign raising nearly $20,000 for youth cancer patients. For the first time, youth cancer patients around Australia were engaged in the campaign, as the pandemic resulted in the Sydney Sixers home-matches taking place outside of Sydney.

Youth cancer patients and survivors from regional areas provided three words of inspiration and hope that were emblazoned on the player’s jerseys as a special tribute. These unique jerseys were auctioned off, funding 200 nights of emergency accommodation through Sony Foundation’s You Can Stay program.

Aiming to bring cancer research and VR technology together, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, CSIRO and Sony PlayStation Developer, Start Beyond, were awarded a research grant from Sony Foundation and Tour de Cure with hopes of great innovation.

Together, the partners developed a digital platform called ‘Aquaria’ integrating Sony PlayStation VR to help cancer researchers better understand cancer mutations, and potential causes and treatments.

Professor O'Donoghue described the first time he used a Sony PlayStation VR headset to virtually ‘hold’ a protein model with cancer mutations as “a game-changing moment that unlocked a whole new world.”

Significant as the innovation was, the team did not foresee how it would become a tool in the fight against the global pandemic. By combining all available data on the 3D shapes of the viral proteins, the team revealed new clues on how coronavirus evades human immune detection and replicates; with outcomes supporting the guidance and development of new therapies and vaccines.

In April 2022, a team of 11 Sony Foundation supporters set off on an adventure of a lifetime, trekking 80Kms+ of the Larapinta Trail over six days in the heat and harsh terrain of the Australian outback. Representatives from Sony Foundation Corporate Partners including Quest, Valmont and Sony Music Entertainment Australia were joined by a young woman, Amy, who was walking in honour of her brother who passed away from cancer at 19 and youth cancer survivor, Mollie, and her mother, Jenny.

Inspired along the way by their teammate, Mollie, aged 21 from Geelong, VIC who accessed free accommodation in Melbourne during her treatment as part of the You Can Stay program, the team not only achieved their physical challenge but also raised nearly $40,000 for You Can Stay. Mollie was inspired during her recovery to take part in the charity trek and raise funds for Sony Foundation saying “since learning how to walk again, I have found a new appreciation for my health and happiness and now want to give back in any way I can. I walked this trail with pride and honour for all the cancer victims and their loved ones.”

PHILANTHROPIC PARTNERS

Thank you to our Philanthropic Partners who supported Sony Foundation's You Can Stay program, and Children's Holiday Camp Program in FY22.

A generous grant from Channel 7 Telethon Trust (Telethon) enabled Sony Foundation to launch a new Children’s Holiday Camp to improve the health and wellbeing of vulnerable children in the Kimberley Region of Western Australia. The Sony Camp was held in partnership with Majarlin Kimberley Centre for Remote Health at the University of Notre Dame and Broome Senior High School.

“Last week my son and some very special other Broome children attended the very first Majarlin Sony Camp. Let’s hope there are many more to come! He had the BEST week ever and came home a very happy and confident young fella with a really cool new interest!! So to all of you who worked with him and for him, you are all AMAZING.”
Parent of Camper, Broome Sony Camp 2021, WA.

In FY23, Telethon’s continued funding support will enable four Children’s Holiday Camps to take place across metropolitan and regional Western Australia.

“Portland House Foundation is a longstanding partner of Sony Foundation’s because we see the positive impact and social value of their program supporting young people with cancer. With our special interest in supporting Victorian patients and families, we know our funding contribution to the You Can Stay program makes an immediate difference in the lives of many Victorians, providing a safe and comfortable place to sleep while in the city for treatment, and more than that, a home away from home."

- Anita Hopkins, Portland House Foundation

“Tour de Cure's mission is to cure cancer and change lives and with this in mind our partnership with Sony Foundation runs deep. By supporting the 'You Can Stay' program we are ensuring that together young people and their families can feel secure that their accommodation needs for their hospital stays are looked after. We are proud of the partnership and the difference we make”.

– Simon Rountree, CEO of Tour de Cure

4WARD EVENT GALLERY

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