A Cocktail Reception at Raheen, generously hosted by Jeanne Pratt AC.
We learned more about the positive impact Koala Kids has on children, young people and their families during cancer treatment from our guest speaker, Dr Peter Downie, head of Monash Children’s Cancer Centre.
Thanks to the guests’ generosity and the overwhelming success of the auction, kindly supported by Kay & Burton, an incredible total of more than $75,000 was raised.
Thank you so much to every one who attended and contributed so generously to Koala Kids Foundation’s annual WE BELIEVE HAPPY HELPS lunch, held at the gorgeous Quat Quatta earlier this month. It was a very special day for all involved and especially for the families we support.
We made a conscious decision to limit fundraising to our raffle and sponsorship of our Superhero Program, but thanks to the generosity of sponsors and guests, more than $55,000 was raised. These funds will enable us to continue to provide small things that bring comfort and happiness to children, young people and their families during cancer treatment.
The sun was shining and the sky perfectly blue (Melbourne winter at its best), as beautifully dressed guests arrived to chilled Champagne, delicate canapés and lively conversation. The scene was set for a happy day. And no one was disappointed, especially when Australia’s iconic Kate Ceberano took to the stage again with a sensational set, in support of Koala Kids!
Program director, Mandy Mandie, promised lots of girlfriend chat time with little interruption, and guests were left to enjoy an exquisite seasonal lunch, accompanied by superb Frog Hollows wines.
When Mandy returned to the lectern an hour later, the room quickly hushed to welcome Sarah Harms, a paediatric nurse of 37 years at The Royal Children’s Hospital who shared her insights into the positive difference Koala Kids makes in the hospital environment. Sarah highlighted how small things like lucky dips, LEGO, chocolate Smash Cakes, board games, activities and especially the Superhero Program bring happiness to both children and staff.
“I was so happy to be able to tell everyone about the joy I witness from the kids and their families from all of Koala Kids good work” she said. “I don’t know what we did before Koala Kids!”
Megan Kennedy then shared her family’s traumatic three-year journey of their two-year-old Amelia’s gynaecological cancer (only three ever in Australia and one in 250,000 world-wide). During the lengthy time that little Amelia endured chemotherapy and countless rounds of external and internal radiotherapy, Megan recalled the days when Happy T-shirt clad Koala Kids volunteers would call past Amelia’s room with an activity kit, a lucky dip, or simply a smile or hello to make ‘happy help’. She also explained how our Superhero Program became a ‘saviour’, brightening Amelia’s days during such toxic treatment.
Tears flowed when Megan announced that Amelia’s recent scans were clear,
The most insightful and informative of our annual lunches to date, various guests commented, “I loved the focus on the Superheroes program.” “Magnificently inspirational.” “The most poignant and uplifting event.” and, “This was the event that truly touched me.”
Following an invitation to sponsor the Superhero Program, a swift raffle draw and a delicious selection of desserts and beautiful Taprobane teas, guests departed, all the wiser, and happy!
Koala Kids warmly thanks our incredibly enthusiastic and committed volunteers, who worked on the event and those who executed it on the day.
Our heartfelt thanks to our wonderful supporting partners for providing quality, high value raffle prizes totalling more than $8,500 in value – Liberty Belle, HEIDE Museum of Modern Art, Treat Catering, Provincial Living, Marble Basics, Nevenka, Spender and Co and Auski.
And to Fiona and Greg Carns and the entire Quat Quatta team, thank you for another magnificent meal, served perfectly; Ciara and Grant Griffiths for matching their Frog Hollow wines; Purpose Creative Group Lin Wee’s graphic design and Peter Stewart’s AV; Tom Nichols Nic Nac Pictures; Dan Lawson Prop and Pose; (View the pictures here) Alexandra Bonikos for our beautiful arrangements of orange roses.
Thank you everyone for believing happy helps!
What a fabulous night we had at Koala Kids Foundation’s Annual #WEBELIEVEHAPPYHELPS Cocktail Party at ULR Land Rover in Malvern recently to mark International Childhood Cancer Day.
The aim of the cocktail party is to say thank you to everyone who supports Koala Kids’ vision to touch every child and young person undergoing cancer treatment in Victoria, and their families.
We couldn’t possibly provide what we do without the generosity of our supporters, the fabulously committed hospital staff and our incredibly devoted team of volunteers. We do what we do out of love and because we all believe happy helps!!
This is the sixth year we have hosted our cocktail party and were delighted that more than 150 guests plus 50 Koala Kids volunteers were able to join us.
Our heartfelt thanks go to the following generous supporters for enabling us to host the evening:
ULR Land Rover for warmly welcoming everyone into their fabulous Malvern showroom (and for letting us take over temporarily)
Cooper & Milla’s Toorak, Treat Catering and McCoppins for the most delicious food and to PICCO Aperitivo and Frog Hollow Estate for quenching our thirsts
Purpose Group for providing all audio visual equipment.
Slide Production for a gorgeous bar and furniture to rest weary legs
Di Simmons for our linen (in our signature colour orange of course!)
Carnival for Kids for entertaining our younger guests while the not so young guests enjoyed catching up with fellow volunteers and colleagues and meeting new ones
Tom Nichols, Nic Nac Pictures for his ongoing video expertise and Will Lehnacker for his photographic skills
Jessica Peart, 2015 Australian entrant in the Miss Universe pageant (centre, above left), shared the story about her personal connection with the gorgeous Hayden Clements and his family during his cancer treatment. We are thrilled that Jessica has agreed to be a Koala Kids Ambassador.
To conclude the celebrations, we announced our 2017 Volunteer of the Year – our very special Jess Bucci who is continuing to volunteer with us while also working part-time in the office (above right).
We thank all who were able to join us and, for those who were unable to attend, please check out the photos and footage.
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