Last Saturday evening, 29 March, approximately 1,100 Canberrans, the highest attendance to date, gathered at the National Convention Centre for the Midsummer Night’s Dream themed Ronald McDonald House Charities’ (RMHC), annual Lexus of Canberra fundraising Gala Ball.

Although the overall tally is still climbing, the amount raised on the night now stands at $517,000.

RMHC provides essential services that remove barriers, strengthen families and promote healing when children need healthcare.

Ronald McDonald House Canberra is located within the Women and Children’s hospital and provides families with seriously ill or injured children and premature babies, a home away from home. However, smaller scale services and support are also now available at both John James and North Canberra Hospitals.

Mirko Milic, Dealer Principal of Lexus Canberra, the Gala’s naming rights partner, was proud to reflect on Lexus Canberra’s 11-year sponsorship of the event, and their partnership with RMHC.

“Since 2014, we have raised over $3 million for this incredible charity,” he said.

This year, Lexus donated a brand-new Lexus LBX Compact SUV valued at $53,370, which was drawn on the night and won by a young local couple.

Generous Platinum sponsors for the evening were the McDonald’s franchisees from Canberra and surrounds, including Mr Hani Sidaros, Chair of the Gala Committee, and Mr Ben Stockinbridge, Chair of RMHC ACT and Southeast NSW. Both spoke at the event, along with Ms Lee Maiden, Executive Officer of RMHC ACT and Southeast NSW.

Other Platinum sponsors included Unique Diamonds; The National Convention Centre; Southern Cross Austereo; Showpony Events; Event AV Services; Whiskey and Wealth Club and Elliott Gray.

Guests at the gala were treated to Richard Wilkins as Master of Ceremonies, an exquisite three course meal, beverages and entertainment from Aerial Sports Canberra and the showstopping Sydney based band Furnace and The Fundamentals.

One of the most poignant moments during the event, however, was the speech given by parents of little Halle Holman, Kim Bowden and Grant Holman, who spent 96 nights at Ronald McDonald House in 2023, following Halle’s premature birth at 26 weeks.

 “The whole experience was a very emotional, trying time in our lives, and I hate to think how different our time in Canberra would have been without Ronald McDonald House, and without you, as without you being here tonight and supporting these guys there would be no Ronald McDonald House in Canberra,” said Ms Bowden.

Attendees were delighted to hear that Halle continues to do well, and Canberrans can look forward to another opportunity to support more families like Halle’s either at the gala next year, or via ongoing donations via the RMHC website.