1947 to 1989 | The Early Years - A Man of Service
- 1947 | Our story begins with a life of service. At just 14, David Martin joins the Royal Australian Navy, the start of a career spanning four decades.
- 1957 | David Martin marries Suzanne “Susie” Millear, beginning a marriage and partnership that would stand at the heart of everything they built together in the decades to come.
- 1958–1987 | David Martin spends three decades rising through the ranks of the Royal Australian Navy, commanding several ships and serving in senior posts across the fleet. He is promoted to Rear Admiral in 1982
- 1988 | Rear Admiral David Martin retires from the Royal Australian Navy. In December of this year, he receives a knighthood as Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George (KCMG).
- 1989 | Sir David Martin is appointed Governor of New South Wales, where he quickly becomes known as “the people’s Governor,” building close relationships with the community and taking a particular interest in young people facing homelessness, addiction and hardship.
1990 to 2014 | A Foundation Born from Compassion
- Aug 1990 | As an advancing illness forces his resignation as Governor, Sir David knows he wants to ensure his vision for young people can come to life. Through signing the papers and a conversation with Charles Chambers, President of Sydney City Mission, he sets in motion what becomes known as Sir David Martin Foundation.
- 1990 | Lady Martin drives the establishment of Sir David Martin Foundation in honour of her husband, and partners with Sydney City Mission (now Mission Australia) to fund their youth programs. In the first year, Lady Martin raised over $900,000 to support young Australians in crisis.
- From 1990 | From the very beginning, the Foundation stands behind Mission Australia’s Triple Care Farm, as the major philanthropic partner. Committed to funding this youth-specific residential drug and alcohol treatment facility, together we have helped change thousands of young people’s lives – work that continues to this day. Lady Martin brings remarkable dedication to fundraising for the Foundation, from the annual Bridge Day fundraiser she organised at HMAS Penguin, to the 1996 Commonwealth Day Council gala luncheon attended by Diana, Princess of Wales, which draws over 1,000 guests and raised vital funds for the Foundation.
- 2009 | Our inaugural fundraising Abseil for Youth event sees supporters abseiling 33 storeys down a city building. For ten years, it becomes a fixture of our fundraising calendar and a favourite among corporate partners, still talked about today.
- 2010 | Sir David and Lady Martin’s youngest daughter, Anna Beaumont, joins the Foundation staff. She moves from Philanthropy Coordinator to Philanthropy Manager to Acting Executive Director throughout her 12-year tenure before joining the Board of Directors in 2024.
2011 to 2017 | A Legacy Carried Forward
- 2011 | Lady Susie Martin is recognised nationally for a lifetime of service to youth and awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia. For over three decades, from 1990 to 2024, she guides the Foundation’s direction and growth through ongoing service on the Board, a role that takes many forms from opening donation letters, calling and thanking donors, attending fundraising events and presenting graduation certificates at the Triple Care Farm Graduation Day.
- 2015 | Sir David and Lady Martin’s son, Captain William Martin RAN (Rtd), joins our Board, bringing the next generation into the Foundation’s work.
- 2015 | Over 40 cyclists take on one of Australia’s steepest climbs for the inaugural 145 Classic: Ride for Youth, a 145km charity cycle from Sydney to Triple Care Farm in the Southern Highlands, raising over $40,000 in its first year.
- 2017 | Royal Motor Yacht Club, in partnership with Royal Australian Navy, hosts the first of many gala fundraising nights, honouring the Foundation’s long-standing connection to Sir David’s naval history, while raising vital funds to support vulnerable young people.
2017 to Today | Shaping the Future of Youth Recovery
- 2017 | Generous Sir David Martin Foundation supporters raise $1 million towards the construction of David Martin Place, with a further $2 million secured from the Federal Government. Working alongside Mission Australia, this landmark achievement helps create the only dedicated youth detox service in NSW, providing young people with a safe place to begin their recovery journey.
- 2020 | Sir David Martin Foundation commissions research into best-practice models for treating young people with alcohol and other drug issues. The resulting report, Evolve 2020, identifies strong national demand and significant unmet need for youth treatment services. Its recommendations informed ongoing collaboration and helped shape the Foundation’s investment into Youth Network aftercare.
- 2021 | We host Connect for Youth, at the ASX, our first pitch-and-pledge fundraising event in partnership with The Funding Network, raising almost $150,000 in a single night. The event proved a great success and went on to be held annually for three years.
- 2021 | Will Martin is appointed Chair of Sir David Martin Foundation’s Board, a role he holds to this day.
- 2021 | We formalise our Youth Advisory Group, ensuring young people’s voices are embedded in our work.
- 2022 | Youth Network is launched in partnership with Mission Australia, expanding aftercare support from one location to four residential rehabilitation facilities nationally.
- 2025 | Emeritus Professor Steve Allsop and Dr Krista Monkhouse BSc (Hons), MBBS, DipCH, FRACP join the newly established Clinical Advisory Group, providing insights and guidance to further inform our work.
Today and Beyond | Continuing the Vision
- Today | Sir David Martin Foundation is dedicated to funding best practice youth-specific alcohol and other drug treatment and recovery programs. Since 1990, we have raised over $80 million for youth-specific programs, connecting more than 3,800 young people with life-changing treatment programs. We remain committed to expanding access to evidence-based care, to continue giving more young people the opportunity to rebuild their lives.
