Martin Youth Foundation Media Release, 1 September 2026

Thirty-six years after former NSW Governor Rear Admiral Sir David Martin established a foundation to help vulnerable young Australians, the organisation bearing his name is entering a new chapter.

From 1 September 2026, Sir David Martin Foundation will become Martin Youth Foundation, a change designed to better reflect the young people at the heart of its mission while honouring the family legacy that has guided it since 1990.

Sir David Martin, the 34th Governor of New South Wales, resigned from office after being diagnosed with mesothelioma and spent his final days helping establish a foundation dedicated to supporting young people experiencing disadvantage and crisis. He died on 10 August 1990, just days after setting that vision in motion.

Today, the Foundation has raised more than $80 million to support youth-focused drug and alcohol treatment, helping nearly 4,000 young people access life-changing care and recovery services through its longstanding partnership with Mission Australia.

The organisation remains the same legal entity, governed by the same Board and leadership team, with the same mission: to help young people in crisis by enabling best practice models of treatment for youth drug and alcohol addiction.

The rebrand was developed with the endorsement of the Martin family, and Sir David’s own handwriting has been incorporated into the new logo.

Will Martin, Board Chair and son of Sir David Martin, said the change reflected a commitment to ensuring the Foundation’s impact continues for generations to come.
“My father set this Foundation in motion with a simple belief: every young Australian deserves safety, hope and opportunity. That belief has never wavered.”
“This is not a step away from our origins. It’s a step towards ensuring they endure. What has changed is our name. What hasn’t is our purpose.”

Anna Beaumont, Board member and Sir David’s daughter, said the new name would help more young people and families connect with support.
“Seeing Dad’s handwriting in our new logo means everything. It’s a small thing, but it means he’s still part of every conversation we have about where we’re headed.”
“The new name speaks clearly about who we are, what we do and who we serve. That means more young people and families can find help when they need it most.”

Lady Martin, who co-founded the Foundation following her husband’s death and served on the Board for more than three decades, said the change was one Sir David would have welcomed.
“Of course he would support it. He would go along with the times.”
“He would be very proud of what the Foundation is today and think this is a natural step. It’s continuing to help young people, which is exactly what it was meant to do.”

Chief Executive Officer Karen Elliff said the new name would strengthen the Foundation’s ability to reach young people, families and supporters.
“Nothing about the work itself is changing. The programs we fund, the partnerships we hold and the young people we exist for remain exactly the same.”
“What a clearer name gives us is greater reach and understanding. Ultimately, that means more support for the youth-specific treatment and recovery services that young people desperately need.”

For more than three decades, Martin Youth Foundation has funded Mission Australia’s Triple Care Farm and more recently the Youth Network aftercare program, supporting young people experiencing substance dependence to access evidence-based treatment and recovery support.

Demand for youth-specific alcohol and drug treatment continues to outstrip available services across Australia, making continued investment in early intervention, treatment and recovery more important than ever.

About Martin Youth Foundation

Martin Youth Foundation, formerly Sir David Martin Foundation, is an Australian charity dedicated to empowering young people to change their lives. Established in 1990 in honour of Sir David Martin, the 34th Governor of New South Wales, the Foundation has raised more than $80 million to fund youth-specific drug and alcohol treatment and recovery services. The Martin family remains actively involved in leading the Foundation today.

Media contact

Jennifer Rutkowski, Fundraising and Marketing Manager, Martin Youth Foundation

[email protected] | +61 2 9538 0914