Our Strategy | Alannah & Madeline Foundation Skip to main content

Twenty-five years ago, Walter Mikac AM established a foundation on the belief that “all children should have a safe and happy childhood without being subjected to any form of violence.”

What is remarkable is that he did this in honour of his daughters, Alannah and Madeline, who were killed alongside their mother in an unspeakable act of violence one year earlier.

Today, through this strategic plan, we honour our founders and the impact the Alannah & Madeline Foundation has made as we set out our vision for the future.

Our 2022-2025 Strategic Plan will guide us in our work, together.

We uphold the rights of children and young people to be safe.

The right to be safe at home, at play and at school.

The right to be seen and heard, and valued.

The right to go online without abuse.

The right to go to sleep without fear.

The right to heal. The right to grow.

And sometimes, the right to the unconditional love of a teddy bear when needed most.

We fight for these rights not just because children are precious, but because only when children and young people are safe can they also be happy, hopeful and strong.

Only when they’re safe is their best future possible.



What we've accomplished...

We have made significant progress over the last 25 years, but we know there is still work to do.

Our impact

25 years of keeping children safe

Our reach

3 million children and young people reached


... and why we need to do more

After 25 years, the challenges facing children and young people may have changed, but our mission has not.

We fight for their right to be safe, so their future is strong.

One in six women and one in 16 men

experience violence at the hands of their current or former partner – more than half said their child saw or heard the violence

13,000 Australian children

are taken into emergency care each year, because they’re at serious risk of harm or have no safe place to live. Many arrive with nothing but the clothes they are wearing.

One in five young Australians aged 15 to 19

said they were bullied in the past year. Bullying – at school, online and beyond – continues to be a significant issue.

Half of young Australians

have been the target of hurtful behaviour online, experiencing nasty comments, rumours, threats or impersonation

The work before us

Our work continues today through care, prevention and advocacy – from supporting children experiencing family violence to educating communities about online bullying and fighting for the rights of children and young people.

Over the next four years, we will focus on five 'big gets'

Big Get 1: We will support children to recover and heal from trauma

Big Get 2: We will empower positive digital citizens

Big Get 3: We will realise Dolly's Dream to change the culture of bullying

Big Get 4: We will uphold the right of children and young people to be safe

Big Get 5: We will learn, adapt and grow