The philanthropic power of some of Australia’s most prominent figures in business and beyond was on display over the weekend, with the Silver Party banking $3.7 million in funds for the Sydney Children’s Hospitals Foundation.
Key Takeaways
- The Silver Party, a charity event held to raise funds for Sydney’s Children’s Hospitals Foundation, returned after a three-year hiatus to raise $3.7 million.
- The event was held at hospitality billionaire Justin Hemmes’ Vaucluse home, ‘The Hermitage’, with more than 300 VIP guests, including Tyra Banks, Rebecca Vallance and Ingham chickens heiress Tammie Ingham.
- It comes as the Met Gala raised US$31 million – the most in its 77-year history.
Big number
$3.7 million. That’s how much money was raised for the Sydney Children’s Hospitals Foundation. Since the Silver Party’s inception in 2001, the lavish affair has raised more than $10 million for the charity.
Guest list
In attendance were more than 300 VIP guests, including Ingham chickens heiress, Tammie Ingham, and her celebrity chef husband Guillame Brahimi, Tyra Banks, Karl and Jasmine Stefanovic, designer Rebecca Vallance and Paspaley creative director Christine Salter.
Crucial quote
“The funds raised through this event help us to deliver world-class clinical excellence, the best possible patient experience, and ground-breaking research. As one of our Signature Events, Silver Party is crucial in helping SCHF make a transformative impact on kids’ health, changing the future for sick kids and their families.” – Sydney Children’s Hospitals Foundation CEO, Kristina Keneally.
Australian philanthropy
Forbes has previously taken a look at Australia’s top corporate givers. At the time, roughly $1.5 billion was donated in the 2023 calendar year, with BHP taking top spot for donations by dollar amount. Toilet paper startup Who Gives A Crap topped the list for highest donations as a percentage of profits. We also looked at the Australian billionaires who had pledged their fortunes to charity, with Canva’s Melanie Perkins and Cliff Obrecht signing the Giving Pledge in 2010, and Nicola and Andrew Forrest signing it in 2012.
Tangent
The Met Gala, an arts fundraiser more commonly known to fans as an extravagant, star-studded night for fashion, raised US$31 million this year – the most in its 77-year history. Though that tracks with tickets priced at US$75,000 (and tables at US$350,000). Celebrities are typically sponsored by brands who purchase tickets for them.
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