The Nappy Collective acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the lands on which we live, work and gather.
We pay our respects to Elders past and present. We honour their ongoing custodianship and the knowledge, traditions and care they have passed down through generations.
As an organisation supporting families and children, we recognise the importance of nurturing and protecting the next generation, and we acknowledge the profound role First Nations peoples have always played in caring for Country, community and culture.
We are committed to learning from, supporting and working alongside First Nations peoples in all that we do.
Founder/
A LETTER FROM OUR FOUNDER AND CHAIR, SANDRA JACOBS
This year, The Nappy Collective experienced a period of sustained growth, with a focus on the future, a bittersweet goodbye, and several very warm welcomes! When I look at what we have achieved this year, I feel so proud.
Proud of the community that represents The Nappy Collective and of what we collectively achieved. I love seeing this pride too in our staff, Board, and in our amazing volunteers across Australia. The time and energy we give ensures that parents can rest easier knowing their children have enough nappies to stay clean, healthy, and happy.
The Board also took the opportunity this year to review and reaffirm our strategic goals. Sadly, the demand for nappies continues to grow, driven by the impacts of COVID-19 and the rising cost of living. For our 2025–2028 Strategic Plan, we have set an ambitious path: to double the number of nappies collected each year, expand our footprint and distribution networks, amplify our voice in advocating for systemic change to alleviate nappy stress, and strengthen the resources needed to achieve these goals.
This year we also said a fond farewell to our wonderful CEO, Sarah Witty, who successfully contested the seat of Melbourne in the Federal Election. In her three years leading The Nappy Collective, Sarah rebuilt the organisation post-COVID, helped us achieve our milestone of collecting over one million nappies annually, and positioned us strongly for the future. While it was bittersweet to say goodbye in May, we were delighted to see her achieve her long-term goal of entering politics, where she continues to make a difference.
We also celebrated several warm welcomes. We were pleased to appoint Marianne Marchesi as Company Secretary, bringing governance expertise and entrepreneurial spirit, alongside her personal commitment as a regular donor. We welcomed Lara Paturzo as Communications and Donor Manager, and Jasmine Treen in Operations and Administration. And significantly, we were delighted to appoint Sue Karzis as our new CEO. Sue brings deep passion and extensive experience in the social sector, and we look forward to working together to achieve our ambitious goals. I would also like to thank Karen Dynon, who so ably stepped in as Interim General Manager during our CEO transition, ensuring continuity of leadership and support for our team and community.
Finally, I extend my heartfelt thanks to everyone who makes The Nappy Collective possible: our dedicated staff, Sarah and now Sue, Lauren, Lara, and Jasmine; my fellow Board members, who generously share their expertise and keep us all on track; and our volunteers and community partners, who continue to inspire and energise us every day.
THANK YOU, Sandra
CEO Report
This period marked one of our most impactful years yet, driven by community collaboration, ambitious campaigns, and growing demand. The vision of The Nappy Collective is what drives our work: that every child in Australia has nappies to remain clean, healthy, and happy. We remain the only national nonprofit devoted solely to collecting and redistributing nappies to families in crisis.
Our reach and effectiveness have continued to rise dramatically.
IN THE 2024-25 FINANCIAL YEAR, WE:
• Delivered 1,948,848 nappies, supported by our 430 volunteers across Australia.
• Operated 838 year-round collection points, collaborating with our network of 834 charity partners and supported 64,810 families, offering immediate relief and dignity.
• Our “Clean Bums for Little Ones” Campaign aimed to collect 500,000 nappies to respond to the exponential increase in need, and this was facilitated with 850+ collection points nationwide.
As the incoming CEO for The Nappy Collective, I feel privileged to present this CEO Report for The Nappy Collective for the 2024-25 financial year.
With cost-of-living pressures mounting, the 20242025 year saw the highest need in our 11-year history. Looking ahead, there is much to be excited about. We will continue to maintain our network of support, including over 800 collection points and 300 volunteers to support the thousands of families who are struggling with the cost of living and having to choose between food and nappies for their children. We will also continue to work closely with our volunteers to increase community engagement and with our charity partners to achieve even greater impact for families in crisis.
I would like to thank the MPs throughout Australia who have supported The Nappy Collective. Pressroom Philanthropy have been long-term supporters of The Nappy Collective, and we are very grateful for their holistic commitment to our organisation. Thank you also to The Campbell Edwards Trust, the CommBank Staff Fund and all the trusts and foundations that have supported our work over the last financial year.
Distributing over 1.9 million nappies nationwide simply wouldn’t have been possible without the incredible efforts of our volunteers across Australia and the generosity of our corporate and nonprofit partners. From the nappy brands that donated essential supplies to the businesses and organisations that provided vital logistics support, each has played a critical role in ensuring nappies reached families when and where they were needed most.
On behalf of The Nappy Collective, I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to our dedicated staff and Board of Directors. Your passion, commitment, and tireless efforts have driven our impact this year and ensured that thousands of families across Australia received the support they needed.
TO OUR STAFF –
Thank you for bringing energy, creativity, and compassion to your work every day. Your professionalism and care underpin everything we do.
TO OUR BOARD –
Thank you for your strategic guidance, governance, and unwavering belief in our mission. Your leadership has enabled us to grow sustainably and remain focused on delivering meaningful outcomes for the communities we serve.
THANK YOU,
Our
In Numbers Our Impact
KEY STATS (FY 2024 -2025)
2,159,677 NAPPIES DONATED
71,989 FAMILIES SUPPORTED
$1,274,209 VALUE OF NAPPIES DISTRIBUTED
817 YEAR ROUND COLLECTION POINTS
772
360 CHARITY PARTNERS VOLUNTEERS
WA
Collection Points = 71
NT
Nappies donated = 51,167
Charity Partners = 33
Collection Points = 14
IMPACT BREAKDOWN BY STATE
VIC
SA
Nappies donated = 119,515
Charity Partners = 60
Collection Points = 40
QLD
Nappies donated = 256,635
Charity Partners = 130
Collection Points = 136
NSW
Nappies donated = 472,596
Charity Partners = 209
Collection Points = 214
ACT
Nappies donated = 98,292
Charity Partners = 9
Collection Points = 19
Nappies donated = 922,557
Charity Partners = 242
Collection Points = 286
TAS
Nappies donated = 33,394
Charity Partners = 31
Collection Points = 36
Real Stories From The Heart
NAPPY RECIPIENT IMPACT STORY
Mary* was just 25 when she had a six-year-old and a one-year-old, and was pregnant with her third. But instead of the joy of motherhood, Mary was trapped in a nightmare.
She was in a relationship marked by abuse, where her ex-husband controlled every dollar. She had no access to a bank account, and was given only a tiny allowance every fortnight, money that had to stretch for groceries and nappies for her children. It wasn’t enough, and Mary found herself in a situation no parent should ever face.
“There were never enough nappies. I rationed my one-year-old’s nappies, sometimes using just one nappy a day, so the limited supply would last two weeks. My baby spent hours in wet and soiled nappies.I felt guilt and shame, knowing I was doing my best, but it still wasn’t enough.”
When Mary first received our donated nappies her world changed. The first delivery brought tears, not just of relief, but of exhaustion, shame and finally, hope. For so long, she had felt powerless, like she was failing her children. In that moment, she could finally breathe.
Eventually, Mary left her abusive relationship and was able to access parenting payments, giving her the ability to provide nappies on her own. But she never forgot the support she received when she was at her most desperate. Those nappies were more than a practical gift. They were a symbol of hope in the darkest time of her life.
*Names have been changed to protect individual’s privacy
With thanks to our Charity Partner, Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies program, Monash Health, Springvale, VIC
Charity Partners Our ROUNDABOUT CANBERRA
Roundabout Canberra believes every child deserves a safe and dignified start. We provide essential baby and children’s items to families across the ACT and into regional NSW. Last year, we supported more than 4,000 children, and this year we’re on track to help over 5,000 as demand continues to grow with the rising cost of living. Nappies are one of the biggest challenges families face.
“We hear stories every day from families having to choose buying nappies over food, or running out, and trying to re-use disposable nappies as they just don’t have any more. It is heartbreaking and we don’t ever want to see kids suffer, or families go without the essentialsthey need.”
Since 2018, The Nappy Collective has been a lifeline, providing nappies that help us meet this overwhelming need. On average, we gift 10,000 nappies every month, and almost a quarter of the 80,000 nappies we’ve distributed this year have come directly from The Nappy Collective.
“Buying nappies to fulfil orders from Social Services is a financial strain on us…so we are so grateful for the nappies we receive from The Nappy Collective.”
Without this support, we would face a massive deficit. Purchasing nappies ourselves would place enormous financial strain on our organisation or force us to turn families away, which we never want to do. The Nappy Collective removes that pressure and allows us to focus limited funds on other essentials such as safe sleep spaces.
“The most common feedback we hear from families is how much of a relief it is to not have to worry about buying these essential items. Taking that stress away from families facing a host of other pressures is truly invaluable.”
Thanks to The Nappy Collective’s generosity, thousands of children and families facing incredible pressures can breathe a little easier.
THE SALVATION ARMY, TASMANIA
The Doorways Program provides financial assistance and emergency relief through material aid, food parcels and nappies, and the donations we receive from The Nappy Collective make a real difference.
Many families are constantly juggling limited funds, trying to keep food on the table, pay rent and cover petrol. When I can offer nappies to a family, it takes away one of the stress points.
“Parents can then put that little bit extra of their own cash into buying food or other essentials.”
While we are fortunate to receive donations from other businesses, nappies are never guaranteed. With direct support from TNC, families experience reduced stress, shame and anxiety, knowing they can keep their children clean and healthy.
“No parent should have to count nappies or hold off changing their child because of financial hardship.”
If support from The Nappy Collective wasn’t available, “We simply would not be able to offer these items. If a community member was approved for financial assistance through our phone assistance line, they would have to budget the cost of purchasing nappies into their list of essential items.”
Thanks to their ongoing support, families across northern Tasmania can focus on caring for their children, knowing they have one less worry during challenging times.
AMURT AUSTRALIA,
Thanks to The Nappy Collective, AMURT WA is able to support some of Perth’s most vulnerable families, including young mothers experiencing domestic violence, the elderly, people with disabilities and those at risk of homelessness. Through their generous donations of nappies, AMURT can provide essential baby supplies alongside food hampers, offering families in crisis vital support, relief and hope when they need it most.
“Receiving nappies from The Nappy Collective is a real lifeline. Recipients are able to use their money to pay for other things like rent, overdue bills, or petrol. The relief this brings is immeasurable,” says Victoria Easby, Coordinator for Perth South East Region.”
By providing nappies directly to AMURT, it frees up funds that can be used for other essentials, such as food, allowing the charity to assist even more families each month. On average, 30 to 50 families receive baby essentials every month, and the nappies The Nappy Collective provides helps relieve financial pressure on families, while ensuring babies have better hygiene and health support.
Reflecting on the impact, Victoria explains, “Without the support of The Nappy Collective, we would have to rely entirely on fundraising and other limited resources to purchase nappies. This would put a real strain on what we can provide and could mean fewer families and babies get the essentials they desperately need.”
We also want to acknowledge the incredible people behind The Nappy Collective “Joyce has been absolutely wonderful to work with, dedicating five years to supporting families through The Nappy Collective. We are truly grateful for the ongoing commitment of all their volunteers.”
Our Volunteers
Behind every nappy delivered to a family in need is a volunteer who made it happen. Across Australia, hundreds of volunteers give their time and energy to The Nappy Collective — collecting nappies from community drop-off points, sorting them with care, and ensuring they reach local charities that support families doing it tough.
Our volunteers are parents, grandparents, neighbours, colleagues and friends who rally their communities to give generously, united by a shared belief that no baby should go without the comfort of a clean nappy. Their compassion connects people, creates local networks of kindness, and turns small acts of giving into life-changing support for families in need.
The Heart of the Collective
At the centre of this effort are our Regional Leads — dedicated volunteer leaders who coordinate collections and campaigns in their local areas, support new volunteers, and ensure every donated nappy is distributed quickly and fairly among our charity partners. Their leadership and care keep our national operations running smoothly and bring The Nappy Collective to life in every community we serve.
On behalf of the tens of thousands of families who received nappies this year, we thank our volunteers for your unwavering commitment and kindness — and for giving hope, one nappy at a time.
Scan the QR code to see our volunteer page
NUMBER OF VOLUNTEERS
“Being part of The Nappy Collective means helping some of the most vulnerable families, ensuring their little ones are kept clean, healthy and loved. That’s why I do it.”
Some of my most cherished memories have been volunteering alongside my daughter in the Clean Bums for Little Ones campaigns in 2024 and 2025. Sharing the experience with her, meeting like-minded people, and feeling the energy of a community united by compassion brought me both pride and joy. I felt a deep sense of connection with our Team Leaders and fellow volunteers, who turned a campaign into something profoundly meaningful.
Through volunteering, I’ve built strong relationships with our charity partners, always making them feel welcomed, included and supported.
“These are truly beautiful people, who dedicate themselves wholeheartedly to caring for families in need. Hearing their stories has left me feeling incredibly grateful, and even more determined to continue being part of this work that helps improve families’ lives.”
“I also want to sincerely thank the community for donating nappies. Without your generosity, thousands of families and children would go without this essential support.”
ALICE MCKAY
Brisbane Regional Leader
Becoming a mother was the start of my journey with The Nappy Collective. After welcoming my first child in 2020, I learned about the organisation in 2022 and felt an instant pull to get involved.
“Motherhood is hard enough without the immense pressure that comes with not being able to provide clean nappies for your child.”
No mum should ever face the decision of feeding herself or her child having a clean nappy. From then on, I’ve been hooked on trying to get as many nappies as possible to families in need.
Over the past three years, I’ve poured my energy into volunteering, creating countless memorable moments. I still remember the excitement of picking up my very first collection, the joy of delivering nappies to a community partner who could immediately pass them on to families, and the pride of running my first Sort and Count event in Newcastle, where I went from being the only volunteer to welcoming eight enthusiastic locals.
There have been milestone moments, too. At the 2025 Sort and Count in Brisbane, I realised we were going to surpass 40,000 nappies in a single day as they came flooding in.
“It was such a pinch-me moment to realise how many families we could help.”
I’ll never forget the feeling at the end of each Sort and Count, sharing the final numbers with everyone who made it possible.
Volunteering has completely shifted my perspective. I never think about nappies the same way. If I see a lone nappy the wrong size or a Facebook post giving away nappies, I’m always spreading the word about The Nappy Collective.
“It’s made me forever grateful for what my own family has.”
My children have grown alongside my volunteering journey. My eldest, now five, was just two when he joined me for his first collection and delivery. He often asks to help, knowing the nappies are “for the kids whose mums and dads don’t have enough money to buy them.” My youngest has already attended three Sort and Count events — as a bump, as a newborn strapped to my chest and now as an energetic toddler being entertained by fellow volunteers.
“The Nappy Collective is like a family. My kids are growing up knowing the importance of giving back, and I feel so lucky to be part of it.”
For me, volunteering has been about more than nappies. It’s about the ripple effect. How one person’s passion can inspire a community, support thousands of families and pass on values of kindness and empathy to the next generation.
Collection Points MIRVAC
Mirvac’s Decade-Long Partnership with The Nappy Collective
For the past ten years, Mirvac has proudly partnered with The Nappy Collective, Australia’s only non-profit dedicated to collecting and distributing nappies to families in crisis. This enduring collaboration has seen Mirvac’s retail centres and their communities donate over 100,000 nappies since 2015, making a tangible difference to families experiencing financial hardship, homelessness, domestic violence, or the aftermath of natural disasters.
Alison Flemming, Mirvac’s General Manager, Retail, said the beauty of The Nappy Collective is in its simplicity.
“Instead of throwing away nappies their children have outgrown, parents can donate them to help families who struggle to afford this essential item,” she said.
Mirvac’s commitment to The Nappy Collective stems from a shared belief in the power of community action to address real and pressing needs. By supporting a cause that directly impacts vulnerable families, Mirvac has been able to mobilise its shoppers and retailers to contribute to a simple yet vital initiative.
community engagement, and to the generosity and community spirit our shoppers show year after year,” said Ms Flemming.
The presence of donation boxes at Mirvac shopping centres has made it easy for people to contribute, fostering a sense of collective responsibility. By providing a convenient way for parents to donate unused or leftover nappies, Mirvac retail centres have helped reduce waste and also supported thousands of families.
Mirvac’s ongoing partnership with The Nappy Collective will help the organisation reach its strategic goal of delivering one million nappies annually to children experiencing nappy stress. By maintaining and expanding collection points, Mirvac will continue to harness the generosity of its communities and amplify its social impact.
NORTHCOTE ELECTORATE OFFICE MP KAT THEOPHANOUS
Our Northcote Electorate Office has proudly served as a collection point for The Nappy Collective since 2020. For the past five years, our foyer has been home to a nappy donation box where locals donate unused nappies to be redistributed to families in crisis. It’s a small, but meaningful way we can help relieve the enormous pressure families face in those early years of parenthood.
When I was first elected, I had a one-year-old and a baby on the way. I spent a lot of time with local mothers’ groups and young families, listening to their experiences and challenges.
“I know firsthand that those early years of raising a baby can be exhausting and financially stressful, and every bit of help counts.”
Supporting families in need matters deeply to me, not only because of my own journey through parenthood, but also because I’ve seen how hard those first years can be. That’s one of the reasons I fought for an Early Parenting Centre in Northcote — so local families could access more support close to home.
Becoming a collection point felt like a natural step. It gave our office a simple, practical way to support parents while giving our community the chance to give back. Each donated nappy not only reduces waste, but also helps families experiencing financial hardship, domestic violence, or displacement. It is a tangible reminder that even the smallest actions can ripple out to make a big difference.
“Every time someone comes in to donate nappies, they leave feeling good about contributing to their community. That’s what I love about this initiative: it builds a sense of connection and solidarity.”
In the inner north, we talk often about how it takes a village to raise a child. Being a collection point is one way of building that village, a place where neighbours look out for one another and small acts of generosity add up to real change.
No parent should ever have to worry about whether they can afford enough nappies for their child.
“A box of nappies might seem small, but for a family in crisis, it can mean the world.”
Leaders have a responsibility to shine a light on the quiet, but powerful ways people can help one another.
“By championing initiatives like The Nappy Collective, we normalise community care and remind people that even a simple act, like donating a handful of unused nappies, can make a real difference.”
Each donated nappy from our community is more than just a practical item. It is an act of compassion that restores dignity, eases stress and shows families they are not alone.
Our Impact
BREAKDOWN OF NAPPY DONATIONS:
1,255,339
Year-Round Collection Program
592,224
Nappy brand donations
312,114
Clean Bums for LIttle Ones campaign (April 28 - May 26, 2025)
BIGGEST
OUR YEAR EVER:
In FY 24–25, The Nappy Collective achieved its biggest year yet — collecting an incredible 1,948,848 nappies and providing more than 65,000 families across Australia with real, practical support. This milestone reflects the strength of our national operations and the collective effort of our volunteers, donors, and partners working together to ensure every child has access to the most basic essentials of care.
Across the country, 838 businesses hosted collection points on behalf of The Nappy Collective — from early learning centres, MP offices and health services to local retailers, real estate offices and small businesses. Each of these organisations rallied their communities to donate, helping transform local generosity into life-changing support for families in need.
In times of crisis, our network also stepped up to support communities affected by flooding and cyclones in New South Wales and Queensland, with more than 45,000 nappies delivered to impacted regions. These emergency responses ensured that families facing sudden hardship could still access this most essential item of care.
Our impact was further strengthened by the extraordinary generosity of our nappy brand partners — Marquise, Panda Baby Supplies, Bunjie, Babylove, Rascals and Comfy Koalas — who together donated 377,030 nappies this year. Their ongoing contributions, including both large-scale donations and stock diverted from landfill, demonstrate a shared commitment to community, sustainability and dignity for families in need. This impact was only possible thanks also to the logistical support of Interparcel, Kent Removals, Transitainer WA and Connecting 2 Communities, whose efforts ensured these nappies could be moved, stored and delivered to the families and services who needed them most.
We are also proud to continue our national partnership with Baby Bunting, whose 72 stores across Australia serve as trusted collection points for local communities. This partnership alone accounted for 646,335 nappies collected, helping more than 21,500 families.
Together with our charity partners, volunteers, and corporate supporters, we continue to strengthen an efficient, sustainable network that connects generosity with families who need it most — and ensures that every nappy collected makes a difference.
CLEAN BUMS FOR LITTLE ONES 2025:
In May, The Nappy Collective delivered its most successful Clean Bums for Little Ones campaign to date.
Through the collective efforts of volunteers, partners and donors, we collected 312,114 nappies from collection points, and 153,640 nappies from our partnered nappy brands. Supporting more than 15,000 families experiencing hardship across Australia — including those escaping domestic violence, facing homelessness, food insecurity or financial stress. The campaign brought together 884 collection points, 236 community partners and 189 volunteers, all working tirelessly to ensure every donated nappy reached the families who needed them most.
We were especially proud to see a Clean Bums for Little Ones collection box displayed at the Victorian State Parliament, symbolising a growing recognition that nappy stress is not merely a matter of convenience, but a national health issue.
KEY STATS
Families helped 15,000
Collection points 884
236
Charity Partners
Corporate and goods-in-kind partners again played a vital role, contributing nappies, storage, logistics and transport — including Kennards Self Storage, Northern Glass, Two Men and a Truck and Connecting 2 Communities. Their generosity helped ensure that every donated nappy found its way to the families who needed it most.
On behalf of the families we serve, we extend our heartfelt thanks to every volunteer, partner and supporter who made this campaign possible.
Together, you brought relief, dignity and hope to thousands of Australian families — one nappy at a time.
