Our Background

The Ponting Foundation is dedicated to doing everything possible to help young Australians and their families beat cancer. It provides funding for a wide range of programs that comfort and nurture young Australians with cancer while providing support for their families.

Ricky and Rianna Ponting have harnessed their determination to help young Australians with cancer by mobilizing their profile, passion and networks to influence widespread community engagement to raise important incremental funds for specific charity programs including:

  • assisting in the care and well-being of wider family unit as they support children through their illness
  • providing training and equipment for cancer hospitals and their staff
  • investing in ground-breaking research projects engaged in the fight against cancer in Australia’s children and youth; and
  • supporting likeminded charities such as the Children’s Cancer Foundation to assist them in achieving positive outcomes for children with cancer.

The board of the Ponting Foundation is extremely grateful for widespread support from everyday Australians over the past two decades. Community support for the Foundation’s endeavours cannot be overstated. Similarly, our network of generous benefactors, corporate supporters, sport and government partners have contributed enormously to the success of the Ponting Foundation since its inception.

The Ponting Foundation would also like to acknowledge and thank the incredible people who work in the children’s cancer space – surgeons, doctors, nurses, administrators and support staff. Their tireless, skilful and critical work helps drive the Ponting Foundation to continue its efforts in helping young Australians and their families beat cancer.

The Ponting Foundation Board

Chairman

Trevor O’Hoy

Trevor O’Hoy is one of Australia’s most competent and respected businessmen. He left Foster’s Group Limited in 2008 after a career that spanned 33 years and culminated in him assuming the position of Chief Executive Officer for four years. Trevor held numerous roles throughout his career including Chief Financial Officer of Foster’s Group Limited and Managing Director of Carlton and United Breweries.

Trevor is a director of the Tobin Brothers Foundation, a member of the Straight Bat Private Equity investment committee, a member of the Find Ya Feet Foundation (for youth mental health awareness) advisory board and Chairman of the Peak Property Group.

Trevor graduated from Monash University with a Bachelor of Economics degree in 1976. He is also a graduate of the AASC Middle Management Program at Mount Eliza, Victoria, and the Harvard Advanced Management Program for international managers.

Chief Executive (Honorary)

James Henderson

James Henderson is Executive Chairman of Dynamic Sports and Entertainment Group (DSEG). His experience and standing in the business world is highlighted by DSEG being involved in over $450 million in transactions in sport, media and entertainment.

James has extensive experience on numerous boards of sports, entertainment and philanthropic organisations. He is currently a director of the Tasmania Devils Football Club – the AFL’s newest AFL and AFLW license.

James played an integral role in the formation of the Ponting Foundation after working with the Pontings on the childhood cancer cause since 2003 and having been Ricky’s manager since 2008.

Board Member

Rianna Ponting

Rianna Ponting is passionate about helping young Australians and their families through their cancer journey. Her original involvement in this cause was as an ambassador of the Children’s Cancer Institute of Australia before establishing the Ponting Foundation in 2008 with her husband, Ricky.

Rianna is also Chairperson of the Million Dollar Lunch in Melbourne and a Board member of the Children’s Cancer Foundation.

Rianna holds a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Wollongong.

Board Member

Ricky Ponting AO

After retiring from a career as one of the world’s best cricketers, Ricky joined the board of the Ponting Foundation, formalising his involvement that started with its inception in 2008. Off the field, since 2002 Ricky and his wife Rianna have raised in excess of $10 million to help young Australians and their families beat cancer. In 2008 Ricky and Rianna established the Ponting Foundation to provide focus to their fundraising efforts.

In 2012 Ricky was appointed as an Officer in the General Division of the Order of Australia (AO); not only for his extraordinary cricketing achievements, but also for his distinguished service to the community through the establishment of the Ponting Foundation.

Ricky is a highly respected broadcaster of world cricket headlined by his role with the Seven Network in Australia. He is also a widely sought after coach working in the Indian Premier League (Punjab Kings X1) and the US-based Major League Cricket (Washington Freedom). He is also Head of Strategy for the Hobart Hurricanes.

Ricky is an avid golfer and supporter of the North Melbourne Football Club.

Board Member

Dominic Baker

With over 25 years’ experience in high level management at a range of Tasmanian organisations including Cricket Tasmania, Cascade Brewery and the Federal Group, Dominic joined the Board of the Ponting Foundation in 2024.

Dominic has also served as a Director with several organisations including AFL Tasmania, the Tasmanian Hospitality Association, and the Australian Liquor Stores Association. Currently, he is the Chair of Business Events Tasmania (BETasmania).

Dominic brings a wealth of experience to the Foundation and is helping to drive its important Tasmania-centred activities.

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