Art for Oceans: Living Ocean Hosts Surfboard Auction to Fund Whale Research

Living Ocean, an Australian environmental non-profit organisation – founded by Northern Beaches surf legend and photographer Robbi Newman – will bring together Australia’s surf, art and philanthropy community for Art for Oceans, its inaugural surfboard auction raising money for marine preservation and whale conservation.

The auction will take place online and in-person, inviting surfers, art lovers and Australians everywhere to support ocean conservation — celebrating both the spectacular artworks and our shared responsibility to protect oceans for future generations.

Art for Oceans will showcase 20 entirely unique surfboards, each created by some of Australia’s most exciting and collectible artists, including Lisa Wilkes-Hunter, Stephen Glassborow, Ozzy Wrong, Michael Simmons and more. All boards used for the artworks were donated by Global Surf Industries. Among the surfboards, other eye-catching items are up for grabs, including an artwork from 2025 Baldy Archy Prize winner Phil Meatchem, and a seven-night trip to Bali. Bidding will open Friday 3 October, giving supporters the chance to own a unique piece of surf culture while directly supporting ocean conservation.

Accompanying the online auction will be an in-person gala event on Saturday 18 October at Club Palm Beach – The Bistro Barren. Guests will enjoy live music from That Old Chestnut, DJ Darren Todd, Italian-inspired food, drinks and a vibrant gathering of ocean advocates, surfers, art collectors, philanthropists and creatives to toast the impact of their support.

“What an exciting night we have planned for Art for Oceans,” said Robbi Newman, Founder of Living Ocean.

“It is now, more than ever, we need to consider how we can look after our oceans, and the way the art, surfing and local community have come together for this cause is amazing. I encourage everyone to show their support for our oceans in any way they can,” said Newman.

Robbi Newman’s career has seen him live and travel around the world, working as a global leading photographer. In 2010, he, along with Carol Newman and other like-minded friends, founded Living Ocean to help protect and preserve marine ecosystems through science, education and community action. Art for Oceans will be the first auction hosted by Living Ocean to raise funds for ocean conservation.

Proceeds to Support Living Ocean’s Work

Funds raised through the Art for Oceans Auction and Gala will support Living Ocean’s ongoing programs to protect and preserve marine ecosystems through research, education and conservation.

This includes the growth and expansion of Living Ocean’s flagship whale research program, which tracks whale behaviour along the east coast of Australia to better understand migration, ocean health and the impacts of climate change.

Support will help Living Ocean scale this important work — including funding for a research vessel and investment in vital equipment and monitoring tools to capture acoustic data, track movements and deepen understanding of whales and their changing environment.

Event Details

• When: 6:30pm – 10:30pm (formalities conclude), with dancing and celebrations continuing until midnight, Saturday 18 October 2025
• Where: Club Palm Beach – The Bistro Barren, 1087 Barrenjoey Road, Palm Beach NSW 2108
• Ticket Purchase: Humanitix

More info: livingocean.org.au/events/art-for-oceans-surfboard-auction-fundraiser