Live4Life Dinner a joyful occasion
Photo by Kim Selby
The 5th Annual Live4Life Dinner promised a night of 'celebration and stories'. It delivered all that and more, with a joyous gathering at the RACV City Club in Melbourne on Saturday May 18.
The Dinner is always a fabulous opportunity to catch up in person with all the people involved with Live4Life from all corners of Victoria — and even across Bass Strait! It is an occasion for drawing many threads together, making connections across communities, and getting to meet everyone from Board members to funding organisations to young volunteers. It is an opportunity to reflect on challenges, celebrate achievements, and - if Brian Nankervis has anything to do with it - have some fun!
Over 230 guests were treated to many highlights for the evening, including hearing from guest speaker Sally Kurzke as she spoke about her journey and the role Live4Life played as she left school and entered adult life. Kutcha Edwards was a huge presence, coming to the stage and holding the audience spellbound with his stories and songs - as well as offering a touching tribute to Live4Life CEO Bernard Galbally. And, of course, the unstoppable force that is Brian Nankervis had guests dancing, singing and laughing all night.
Victorian Minister for Health, Mary-Anne Thomas said, "I've been a great fan of Live4Life for a long time now, because I can see that it makes a really big and important difference. And I'm really excited to see how Live4Life has grown and our government supports Live4Life with some significant funding."
Federal Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs, Andrew Giles articulated why he was in attendance. "Increasingly, younger people are grappling with more complex issues — particularly younger people in the regions grappling with maintaining mental wellbeing and health, so playing a role in developing my understanding of that and hopefully being a part of the solution is something I'm really interested in."
We extend our appreciation to event supporters Bindi Wines, Holgate Brewhouse, Macedon Ridge Estate, TarraWarra Estate, Splitrock and Shout Out Loud — as well as to Hon. Andrew Giles MP, Hon. Mary-Anne Thomas MP, Steve McGhie Member for Melton, Ballarat Mayor Cr Des Hudson OAM, Central Goldfields Mayor Cr Liesbeth Long, and Macedon Ranges Deputy Mayor Cr Janet Pearce for their attendance.
And a massive thanks to McQueen’s Wood Fired Pizza of Woodend and the Fielding Family for their generous donation of $10,000 on the night!
It was a truly special night. The last word goes to Brian Nankervis, who left us with a message for why guests should come to next year's dinner. "It's an incredible night. It's an incredible cause. And it's a great sense of community!"