Honda yesterday announced a two-year partnership with Energy Breakthrough, becoming the lead partner for the country's most renowned hands-on STEM program.
The Energy Breakthrough team and Holy Cross College in Sydney hosted the announcement with EB alumni and AFL Premiership player, Kai Lohmann.
The partnership is a direct investment in powering the dreams of over 3,500 Australian school students who will design, build, and test the next wave of innovative vehicles.
Proving that the future of mobility isn't just being built in a global lab – it's being imagined in an Australian schoolyard – the partnership aligns Honda's founding spirit of innovation with Energy Breakthrough's 30-year legacy of fostering ingenuity in young Australians.
"This partnership is an active collaboration to inspire and enable future problem-solvers," said Eva Barrett, General Manager of Brand, Marketing & Customer Experience at Honda.
"It reflects Honda's core belief in the Power of Dreams and our mission to help people achieve their potential. By providing a platform for hands-on STEAM learning, we are investing in the young minds who will shape Australia's future."
For over three decades, Energy Breakthrough has challenged students from more than 100 schools to apply real-world engineering, design, and teamwork skills. The program is a cornerstone event for regional communities, culminating in a spectacular showcase in Maryborough, Victoria.
"For over 30 years, Energy Breakthrough has been about building more than just vehicles—it's about building skills, confidence, and community," said Nigel Preston, spokesperson for Energy Breakthrough.
"Honda's partnership provides vital support that allows us to unite schools and volunteers in a shared mission of innovation. Their commitment to engineering and future mobility makes them the perfect partner to help us empower these incredible students."
Central Goldfields Shire Mayor Cr Grace La Vella said of the announcement:
"What a huge moment with past participant, Maryborough-born and bred AFL Premiership player Kai Lohmann also part of the announcement in Sydney.
"Welcoming Honda on board is a huge milestone in the ongoing success of the biggest event on our local calendar.
"This is a significant partnership that will help inspire the next generation of innovators. Energy Breakthrough is all about encouraging young people to think big about the future of transport, energy, and design. Honda's support strengthens that message and helps bring world-class learning experiences to our regional community.
"A huge thanks to Honda Australia for their support and recognition of Energy Breakthrough — we look forward to working with them over the next two years."
The program has a star-studded half of fame, with famous alumni including Formula One star Oscar Piastri, past NBA Basketballer Matthew Dellavedova, professional cyclist Chris Hamilton, AFL player Hugo Ralphsmith, 2018 Commonwealth Games Road Race Champion Steele Von Hoff, as well as recent 2025 AFL Grand Final winner Kai Lohmann.
"The skills I developed during my time in Energy Breakthrough were invaluable," said Kai Lohmann. "It wasn't just about building a vehicle. It taught me loads about teamwork, resilience, and creative problem-solving under pressure."
As part of this exciting collaboration, Honda will feature prominently across the event, with the naming of the Honda Maryborough Track (T1) and Honda Lakeside Track (T2) - a nod to the company's passion for performance, technology, and connection to community.
The Energy Breakthrough logo will also be updated to feature the updated tagline: Energy Breakthrough – powered by Honda.
The partnership will see Honda branding featured throughout the event precinct, including track signage, volunteer uniforms, and the popular event guide.
Honda will also have an on-site activation, providing students and spectators the opportunity to explore Honda's latest technologies and meet members of its teams
The 2025 Energy Breakthrough event, powered by Honda, will take place from Wednesday, 19 November to Sunday, 23 November in Maryborough, Victoria.
