Guests embarked on an extraordinary journey to the galaxies guided by two of Australia’s most talented media icons and TV stars – Edwina Bartholomew and Hamish McLachlan.
The Million Dollar Lunch lifted off with an energetic and hypnotic performance by LED Robots. ARIA-award winning Australian singer, songwriter and actress, Samantha Jade, then hit the stage for the event’s main act with a shimmering homage to disco’s greats.
The spectacular menu was created by Crown Melbourne’s finest chefs and paired with premium Levantine Hill wines.
The star-studded guest list included Children’s Cancer Foundation Patron and AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan and wife Laura, Ambassador Kate Langbroek and husband Peter Lewis, Val and Gerry Ryan OAM, Sally and Peter Crinis, Ann Peacock, Sue and Michael Gudinski AM, Heloise Pratt AM and Jon Stevens, Rianna and Ricky Ponting AO, Radek Sali, Adem Karafili, James and Jaimee Belle Kennedy, Judy Romano, Danny Green, Holly and Dave Hughes, Lauren Philips, Shane Delia and Tim Campbell.
“The success of The Million Dollar Lunch has allowed the Foundation to adopt a far more ambitious approach to our project funding,” said Jeremy Smith, Chairman of the Foundation.
“Because of the generosity in the room today, we are closer to launching the next stage of a revolutionary clinical research initiative, which will allow oncologists to predict more accurately which drug will offer the best chance of survival to a child.”
The Children’s Cancer Foundation together with its funding partners has recently committed $8.7 million across 29 projects, supporting 37 hospital and research staff. This investment is underpinned by funds raised at The Million Dollar Lunch.
The Million Dollar Lunch benefits from the generosity of our many supporters, without whom there is no event. Thank you to The Million Dollar Lunch Committee, our Cornerstone Partners – Crown Resorts, AFL, Qantas, CrownBet and the Volvo Dealers of Melbourne, donors – Ponting Foundation, the Portland House Foundation and the Pratt Foundation, Grand Auction, Premium Raffle and Mystery Envelope donors, table sponsors and guests, suppliers and volunteers.
To view photos from the 2018 event, visit our Facebook page.
