Despite the bleak, cold and rainy day guests turned out in their finery to Koala Kids annual lunch last Thursday.

The contrast of a crackling, hot fire and the chilled Piper Heidsieck Champagne was the perfect setting for more than 170 ladies who were looking forward to another great Koala Kids event.  And they weren’t disappointed. Everyone, in particular, those who were attending a Koala Kids lunch for the first time, were in awe of the magnificent setting, feeling the happy atmosphere and looking forward raise money for children and young people with cancer.

Surprise guest, Josh Piterman, received a standing ovation after his first song, Music of the Night and there were tears after his second, everyone’s favorite, Nessun Dorma. Josh recently completed the Australian tour of Beautiful – The Carole King Musical and is performing a solo show at The Alex, St Kilda on 22 June.

Dr. Annie Moulden OAM, guest speaker captivated the room with her medical knowledge and enthusiastic passion for Koala Kids explaining what a family must endure given their child’s cancer diagnosis.  She explained how valuable, joyful and impactful Koala Kids items like pill swallowing kits, lollipops, heat packs, and Happy Kits filled with practical items for the hospital are for the families during treatment.

“Everyone arrived in the spirit of the day and you could feel the warmth and happiness in the dining room.  We were overwhelmed by our guests’ generosity and believe everyone left with an even better understanding of  the importance of the support we provide families traveling the hellish paediatric and adolescent cancer journey and the positive impact Koala Kids items and activities have on children and young people,” said Mandy Mandie, program director, Koala Kids Foundation.

The combination of ticket sales, donations, raffle tickets and a record number of pledges raised more than $57,000.

Guests and volunteers each took home a bag of luxury skin care products donated by Liberty Belle and we thank Andrea Moss for her generous support of Koala Kids again.

Koala Kids warmly thanks our incredibly generous and hospitable host Quat Quatta, Liberty Belle Skin Centre, Purpose Entertainment Group, Frog Hollow, All Saints Wines, Taprobane Tea Company,  and Treat Catering for the fabulous lunch for our event volunteers plus our raffle donors Caroline J Silk, Julian Ronchi Garden Design, Harrolds, Provincial Home Living, Donovans St Kilda, Sonos Australia, GlobeWest, Christine Accessories, Marble Basics, Masci Spa, Safari Living, Spencer & Co, White Story and Oroton.

Special thanks too to our enthusiastic and committed events committee and our event volunteers for giving up their day to help ensure the success of the 2019 We Believe Happy Helps lunch.