Australian Wooden Boat Festival 2025 planning begins now

All tied up at the famous Constitution Dock - 2023 Australian Wooden Boat Festival in Hobart © John Curnow

With just over 18 months until the next Australian Wooden Boat Festival, you might think we'd be taking it easy! Well, that is far from the truth.

As we embark on the next phase of planning, it is important to emphasise the critical nature of the next six months and the immense significance they hold for our festival's future.

Over the years, our festival has become an integral part of celebrating Australia's rich maritime heritage and wooden boat craftsmanship. It has provided an incredible platform for artists, enthusiasts, and the wider community to come together and enjoy the beauty and craftsmanship of these timeless vessels.

As we look to the future, we are dedicated to ensuring that the festival continues to thrive and grow, and provide unforgettable experiences. To accomplish this, we need to secure funding for our diverse and engaging programming. These funds will enable us to bring together renowned experts, host exhibitions, and organise interactive workshops, demonstrations, and rallies.

Aside from this, you should have by now seen our #AWBFnextgen fundraising campaign, which was designed specifically to benefit the next generation of wooden boat enthusiasts. This is additional funding we hope to raise to directly fund projects like the My First Boat Project, Quick & Dirty Boat Building Challenge and the Young Leaders of the Sea.

Thank you to those of you who have already donated, it is great to have your support.

I humbly request your support during this critical period and there are several ways you can contribute to the success of the Australian Wooden Boat Festival. Firstly. Spreading the word about our festival within your networks can help raise awareness and attract potential sponsors and supporters.

We will continue to raise funds for the #AWBFnextgen campaign past the end of financial year, but it would be great to get the ball rolling early with some of these projects.

Together, we can secure the future of the Australian Wooden Boat Festival, ensuring that it continues to be a beacon of excellence and a celebration of our maritime heritage for generations to come. I look forward to updating you on our progress and sharing the incredible program we are building for the next festival.

Best wishes,
Paul Stephanus

Find out how you can help here