Lutheran Care’s major fundraising event, its Gala Dinner, is always a true highlight of Adelaide’s social (justice) calendar, and the 2025 event was no exception.
Held at Adelaide Oval on Saturday, 24 May, the event brought together around 400 guests to toast the generous spirit of South Australian businesses and the broader community, and raise much-needed funds for the surging numbers of South Australians struggling to keep their heads above water.
Through both a silent and live auction, $1000 pledge donations and sponsorships, the event raised over $150,000, with the final figure still being tallied. These funds will enable Lutheran Care to continue supporting families and individuals in crisis with critical food relief; bedding; clothing; assistance accessing healthcare; transport, supermarket and op shop vouchers; and links to ongoing supports such as homelessness services, financial counselling, family violence support, parenting programs and more.
Media personality Brenton Ragless led attendees through a fun program of live music from Motel Music, the creation of a live artwork by surreal artist Andrew Baines, a live auction expertly delivered by auctioneer Phil Harris from Harris Real Estate, a three-course dinner matched with pairings from our generous wine partner Maxwell Wines, and dancing.
A touching part of the night was a video interview with Lutheran Care client Gina, who shared how she and her two children fled the family home as a result of domestic violence, and ultimately found themselves homeless. They were living between a tent and a car, parked in remote locations, but Gina went to huge lengths to ensure her children were clean and going to school every day, to keep them in a routine that was as normal as possible.
Despite having had unhelpful interactions with another community services agency, Gina felt welcome and non-judged by Lutheran Care, who, over time, offered the family food, fuel vouchers, a further tent and sleeping bags, Christmas hampers with festive foods and gifts for the kids, and other services such as financial counselling. Most appreciated by Gina however, was how the team welcomed her and listened to her story with a non-judgmental ear, offering help and hope to keep going. With support from Lutheran Care, Gina ultimately was able to secure a cabin and a job at a local caravan park.
One year on, Gina and her kids are still housed at the park, and she’s held her job, and Lutheran Care continues to be there for Gina when bills become overwhelming and threaten the security she’s built. She was pleased to share her story to spread awareness and encourage Gala Dinner attendees to dig deep. As a result, 26 hands went up in the room to give a pledge of $1000 or more, inspired by Gina’s story. Gina was thrilled to attend the dinner on the night, and see the impact her story made on the room.
Lutheran Care thanks principal presenting partner, LLL Australia, for its support in helping stage the event. We also appreciate the assistance from Platinum and Silver sponsors, and the businesses and individuals who offered items to be auctioned on the night and for the Wine Wall raffle, as well as everyone who bid on an item, supported the Wine Wall, or simply purchased a ticket or table.
We also thank artist Andrew Baines – Lutheran Care’s Ambassador – for his support of the event, including donating his artwork for auction; MC Brenton Ragless; Senior Kaurna woman Aunty Susie, for her generous Welcome to Country; auctioneer Phil Harris; and Motel Music.
Lutheran Care’s General Manager Community Relations, Sandy Davis, was thrilled with how the night panned out and the funds generous attendees were able to raise on the night.
“In the current financial climate, many businesses have had to rein in their spending, and it’s been harder to secure sponsorship across the board for many charities.
“That’s why I am just so thrilled with the result we were able to achieve together. We were fortunate to have some excellent corporate support, and the support of around 400 people who made an effort to come out to join us even though times are tough, because they know however hard it is for many of us, for those families who are in crisis, fleeing domestic violence, living on the poverty line – times are even tougher. I could not be more grateful for the support we’ve received which we can now pass on to those people who really need it right now.”
Lutheran Care’s Gala Dinner is held only once every two years, and is the major fundraising event for the organisation’s overwhelmed Emergency Relief program, which is up 20% from last year and sadly, we cannot keep up with demand. Every day we turn away about 15 people, with a food parcel and an invitation to come back the following day.
Find more information about Lutheran Care and its work with South Australians in crisis and hardship here, and to find out how to support Lutheran Care’s essential work, visit: lutherancare.org.au/how-you-can-help/
Click here to view photos from the evening.
Media Contact: Head of Public Relations Katrina Ranford, kranford@lutherancare.org.au | 0420 786 782