Don’t Waste It

The 20-Year Legacy Film

“Don’t Waste It” is a powerful 30-minute documentary that tells Daniel’s story, the Foundation’s journey, and the ongoing fight to keep kids safe.

Key themes in the film:

✔ Daniel’s Story

✔ The Morcombe family’s relentless advocacy for child safety

✔ The impact of DMF’s work over 20 years

✔ The future of child safety in Australia

This film has been classified PG by the Australian Classification Board.

Watch the Trailer

Watch the Film

About The Film

Through the voices of Bruce and Denise Morcombe, the film traces their relentless search for Daniel and their transformation of grief into a nationwide movement for child safety. From the heartbreaking events of 2003 to the founding of the Daniel Morcombe Foundation in 2005, the documentary illustrates how one family’s tragedy sparked a lasting mission to educate, protect, and empower children across Australia.

Designed as both a tribute and an educational resource, Don’t Waste It! speaks directly to teens aged 13 to 15, helping them understand personal safety in real-world situations.

The film highlights the Foundation’s evolution—from its early days of distributing child safety resources to becoming a national leader in prevention and advocacy. As it explores the ongoing challenges in child protection, it underscores why Daniel’s story remains as important today as ever.

More than a legacy piece, Don’t Waste It! is a call to action, equipping kids with the knowledge and confidence to stay safe.

Join Us
Be Part of Daniel’s Legacy

Support Our Mission

Your involvement helps us continue Daniel’s legacy. Whether you’re an educator, parent, or community leader, you can make a difference.

Ways to get involved:

✔ Donate – Every contribution supports our education programs.

✔ Register for Day for Daniel 2025 – Join Australia’s largest child safety event.

✔ Spread Awareness – Share the Don’t Waste It documentary with your community.

Be Part of 20 Years of Impact

Our Partners

We are grateful for the support of our partners who help us drive real change in child safety.

As we look back at what we have achieved over two decades, let us cheers to another 20 years of unwavering dedication and advocating for children.

The Daniel Morcombe Foundation is prepared to continue to keep kids safe for many more generations.

December 2003

Daniel Morcombe

Daniel was last seen waiting for a bus in Palmwoods. He was on his way to buy Christmas presents for his family when he went missing.

March 2005

First Dance for Daniel

First Dance for Daniel held at Twin Waters Resort on the Sunshine Coast.

May 2005

Established DMF

Daniel’s parents Bruce and Denise started the Foundation as a way to give back to the community by educating other children how to stay safe.

November 2005

First Day for Daniel

The first Day and Walk for Daniel – the first walk drew 90 supporters. Participants were encouraged to wear red, the same colour Daniel was wearing the day he disappeared.

September 2006

Foundation Red

The Daniel Morcombe Foundation launches its first child safety education resource ‘Foundation Red’. The DVD including videos was updated until 2014.

September 2011

Recognition

Bruce and Denise Morcombe recognised as Queensland Child Safety Ambassadors, and the Daniel Morcombe Foundation won the Queensland Child Protection Week Awards Education Initiative Award.

September 2011

Where is Daniel?

After years of investigations and a secret undercover police operation, the arrest of the predator was finally made and Daniel was found and brought home.

September 2012

Launch of Daniel Morcombe Child Safety Curriculum

The Queensland Education Minister John-Paul Langbroek launches prep to year 2 phase of Daniel Morcombe Child Safety Curriculum. Years 3 to 6 and 7 to 9 were launched over the following 10 months.

September 2012

Child Protection Awards win

The Daniel Morcombe Foundation’s Day for Daniel won Queensland Child Protection Week Awards Media and Communication Award

September 2014

Keeping Kids Safe resource kits launched

Keeping Kids Safe resource kits sent to all schools to help educate children and young people on personal safety.

October 2005

Walk for Daniel

The first Walk for Daniel drew around 90 supporters in 2005. In 2014 over 1,500 people attended the annual Sunshine Coast event.

October 2014

Keeping Kids Safe

This award winning resource replaced the Foundation Red DVD, together the video and activities resource kit has ben distributed over 60,000 times.

October 2017

Australia’s Biggest Child Safety Lesson

The first Australia’s Biggest Child Safety Lesson videos were released to schools. The Foundation is excited to release the ninth installment in 2025.

October 2018

Australia’s Biggest Child Safety Lesson winner!

Australia’s Biggest Child Safety Lesson wins Queensland Child Protection Week Awards Education Initiative Award.

November 2018

2018 Australian Crime and Violence Prevention Awards

Day for Daniel receives silver award in the community led category of the 2018 Australian Crime and Violence Prevention Awards.

January 2019

Daniel Morcombe Foundation honoured

The Daniel Morcombe Foundation was honoured at the 2018 Sunshine Coast Australia Day Awards with the Community Award.

February 2019

A new home for DMF

The Daniel Morcombe Foundation’s office, Daniel House, officially opens at Palmwoods.

June 2020

Child Safety Champion

Bruce and Denise Morcombe recognised as ‘Child Safety Champions’ at the Queensland Government’s 2020 Queensland Greats Awards.

June 2020

Changing Futures launch

Changing Futures launched to educate frontline workers about identifying and responding to harmful sexual behaviours.

October 2020

My First Walk for Daniel launch

The first My Walk for Daniel is launched during Covid-19, encouraging people around the country to walk 4km for Daniel wherever they are located.

June 2021

Safe Bedrooms launched

Safe Bedrooms educational initiative is launched with videos aimed at educating children, parents and carers on how to recognise suss behaviours and online grooming.

October 2022

Challenges and Choices

Interactive educational resource Challenges and Choices is released to teach children important safety messages about staying safe online.

June 2023

Bright Futures launch

The Daniel Morcombe Foundation launches Bright Futures – an innovative program aimed at addressing the growing prevalence of harmful sexual behaviour and technology-assisted harmful sexual behaviour.

July 2023

That’s Suss launch

The Daniel Morcombe Foundation launches That’s Suss – eSafety Challenge, providing children skills to recognise, react and report online grooming and suspicious behaviours.

October 2023

Senior Leadership Award

Bruce and Denise were honoured to receive the 2023 Sunshine Coast Senior Leadership Award.

June 2024

20th Year launch

Denise and Bruce Morcombe launch the Foundation’s 20th year with a 21-day Time To Talk Road Trip.

October 2024

20th Walk for Daniel

The 20th Walk for Daniel has the largest turnout in two decades and our first digital children’s book – Wobbly Jelly – is released online.

Register For Updates

Stay up to date with the upcoming release of Don’t Waste It – a powerful 30-minute documentary that tells Daniel’s story, the Foundation’s journey, and the ongoing fight to keep kids safe.

We will send you updates on the production, the release of the trailer and of course, the official release of the film.