Hello Canteen Members,
My name is Maddy, I am the Chair of the Canteen Board, and like you have had my own cancer experience. I am excited to write this letter to formally invite you to this year’s Canteen Annual General Meeting (AGM)! For those of you that have attended an AGM before, you are now seasoned professionals, welcome back.
For those of you that may be attending an AGM for the first time, welcome aboard. The AGM is a great opportunity to learn about all of Canteen’s incredible achievements over the last year, and what our plans are for the future. You may even see yourself or your friends featured in some photos. You will get to know Canteen’s board directors and hear all about why they are so passionate about this organisation. While the AGM allows us to fulfil a number of our legal obligations as a registered charity, it is a highlight of the leadership festival. The AGM leads back to Canteen’s DNA, young people at the heart of everything we do.
Details of this year’s AGM are as follows:
Date: Sunday 17th August 2025
Time: 9:30 - 11:00am AEST
Location: Mercure Sydney Hotel, 818-820 George Street, Sydney
Canteen continues to support young people when cancer comes crashing in, guiding us throughout our cancer journeys, however that may look. Over the last few years, the organisation has been able to diversify its services, evolving into the Canteen we know and love today. Since the last time we met for our AGM, Canteen has reached some amazing goals thanks to the remarkable work by the incredible Canteen staff and volunteers.
Some of these achievements include:
- Over 2,644 young people and parents supported through Cancer Hub
- Over 3,000 (3,071) young people and parents supported by Canteen programs, counsellors and specialists
- Over 1,800 (1,877) young patients were supported through Youth Cancer Services
- Over 6,000 (6,481) counselling services provided by Canteen and Cancer Hub
- 250 young people supported by Education & Career Services (ECS)
Canteen’s services are underpinned by our Impact team who conduct world-class psychosocial research with the ultimate goal of transforming the lives of young people affected by cancer. I’m proud to share that this important impact measurement work has revealed some positive, valuable insights into the outcomes young people see from engaging with Canteen.
Our impact measurement work in experience and satisfaction tells us that:
- 98% of young people and 100% of parents would recommend Canteen to a friend
- 92% of young people had a positive experience with Canteen
- 94% of parents/carers had a positive experience with Canteen
At its core, Canteen is a youth-led organisation, and a major part of that is the power of the young members at our Annual General Meeting. Not only does the AGM provide you with an up-to-date understanding on how the organisation is running and where it is striving to be in the future, it is also your chance to play a role in steering the organisation in the direction, you as the voice of the organisation believes it needs to be navigated in. This is your opportunity to share your views and stories on issues that are important to you. Voting forms are due back by 12.30pm (Sydney time) on Thursday 14 August 2025 and I would encourage you all to fill those in if you are not attending the AGM.
Help Canteen ensure that no young person has to go through cancer alone.
Thank you and wishing you well,
Maddy Way
Chair of the Board