POSH Gala Ball 2019

Our 20th anniversary was a wonderful success raising over $1million

The Cancer Council sincerely thanks the 680 generous who attended our milestone 20th-anniversary POSH gala ball last Saturday evening. Sincere thanks to all Corporate Partners, sponsors, private table hosts and generous donors.

Together you have raised $1,020,050 adding to the sum of $17.5 million dollars POSH has raised over the past twenty years.

It was a privilege to hear first hand from our two esteemed speakers, Dr Michelle McDonald who spoke about the impact of imaging on bone cancer and Professor Ian Frazer who noted the significant advancements made in cancer research over the past twenty years. We would like to thank them for their extraordinary contributions and sharing their insights on the night.

Once again as our dedicated mascot MC, Vince Sorrenti kept everyone thoroughly entertained and we thank Vince for his tireless support of the POSH gala ball for twenty consecutive years.

Thank you to everyone who contributed through the purchase of an auction item or making a donation. If you missed the opportunity to make a contribution, please see below for several options that are all 100% tax deductible:

Fund a PhD cancer researcher,
Fund 5 nights of accommodation for patients travelling away from home for their treatment,
Help 1 person access 6 specialised cancer counselling sessions,
Help 1 person access emergency financial assistance and home help,
Or, contribute through a 'Friends' donation.

Planning for POSH 2020 is underway and we will soon be advising the date.

For further information, please contact me on (02) 9334 1967 or email me JennyM@nswcc.org.au

MC Vince Sorrenti, from the 2018 POSH Gala Ball.

Grand Ballroom
The Westin Sydney
1 Martin Place, Sydney

Sat 23 March, 2019
6:45pm - midnight
Dress: Black Tie

Tickets

$300 / person

$3,000 / Private Table

$10,000 / Corporate Partner Table

Secure your table:
Jenny Menzies
(02) 9334 1967
JennyM@nswcc.org.au

153 Dowling St,
Woolloomooloo
NSW 2011

Get your tickets here

POSH Gala Auction

100% of all auction items are donated by our generous sponsors.

The 2019 POSH auction will open on Thursday, 7 March, 2019.

Download auction catalogue (8MB PDF)

20 years of inspiring talks

Keynote Speaker: Professor Ian Frazer AC

Professor Ian Frazer AC is one of the most respected scientists in Australia today. As co-inventor of the technology enabling the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines, his research has been instrumental in cervical cancer control in Australia and internationally. Now 11 years after first roll-out of the vaccine, Australia is poised to be the first country in the world to eliminate cervical cancer as a public health issue.

Ian’s contribution to public health has been recognised with awards including Australian of the Year in 2006, the Prime Minister’s Prize for Science, the Balzan Prize in 2008, and a Companion of the Order of Australia in 2012. He was also recently appointed as the Chair of the Australian Government’s Medical Research Future Fund and is a past Chair of Cancer Council Australia. Cancer Council is honoured to welcome Professor Ian Frazer back to his third POSH as a keynote speaker.

"I congratulate the POSH Committee, sponsors and your supporters on your generous contribution to cancer research, raising $16 million over the past 20 years."

– Professor Ian Frazer AC

Keynote Speaker: Dr Michelle McDonald

Dr Michelle McDonald leads the Bone Microenvironment Group at the Garvan Institute of Medical Research. With funding from Cancer Council NSW, Dr Michelle McDonald and her team have been studying the early stages of multiple myeloma – a devastating form of cancer in the bone.

Using a new technique to see single myeloma cells in living bone for the first time, Michelle’s research is focussed on uncovering what activates dormant myeloma cells and causes cancer to grow in bone. Armed with this new insight, Michelle hopes to extend her research to test if drugs used to treat other bone diseases (such as osteoporosis) can effectively trigger myeloma cells to go back into hibernation. The overall goals of her research are to prevent the growth of cancers which grow in bone whilst also repairing the destruction these cancers cause.

Cancer Council is delighted to have Dr Michelle McDonald to provide an update on her latest findings from her study at POSH 2019.

"I am grateful to Cancer Council for their continued funding of my research and I applaud the POSH audience for their generosity."

– Dr Michelle McDonald

20 years of Inspiring Talks (120KB PDF)

POSH Committee

The success POSH enjoys today, as we celebrate our 20th year, is mainly attributed to the many people who give so generously their time, energy and effort.

Our thanks are extended to the POSH Committee members, many of whom have been on the POSH Committee since its inception. They provide the strategy, focus and inspiration to ensure POSH is a not-to-be-missed event and continues to raise more than $1 million annually for cancer research.

To the many volunteers whose efforts, whether large or small, are invaluable to our cause, we thank you for your contributions.

Finally, we gratefully acknowledge Vince Sorrenti, POSH Master of Ceremonies and entertainer, who has made an outstanding personal commitment by donating his services for the past 20 years. He continues to delight and engage our patrons, and we are very grateful for his support, humour and tenacity.

POSH Committee

Michael Morgan, Chair
Michele Brooks
Bill Drakopoulos
Luke Fussell
Gary Gerstle
Bruce Hodgkinson AM SC
Nadine O’Brien
Clare Paspaley
Kelly Ross
Brad Sweeny
James Tuite
John White
John Ryder Winning
John Winning
Jeff Mitchell, Ex Officio

POSH Volunteers

Jane Bennett
Dallas Lesley

POSH Staff

Jenny Menzies
Alison Mariani
Jasmine Huang

How your donation helps

Last year, thanks to your donations...

$18.7 million invested in cancer research.

10,400+ calls to our 13 11 20 Information and Support service.

4,500+ schools and childcare services protected their children from the sun.

How funding has helped our research

Aboriginal breast cancer outcomes will guide future policymaking to help close the gap between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal cancer outcomes.

Improved early detection of deadly liver cancer in high risk communities.

Our research into prostate cancer will help close the gap in survival rates between rural and city patients.

Get your tickets here

How your donations help

Corporate Partners

Cancer Council NSW acknowledges the generous support of the POSH Corporate Partners.

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Major Sponsors

Cancer Council NSW acknowledges the generous support of the POSH sponsors and suppliers.

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POSH Gala is a Cancer Council NSW event

Cancer Council NSW Website
Contact Cancer Council NSW

Cancer Council NSW would like to acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land on which we live and work. We would also like to pay respect to the elders past and present and extend that respect to all other Aboriginal people.

Cancer Council NSW is registered with the Australian Taxation Office as an Income Tax Exempt Charity: Charitable Fundraising Authority No. 18521. All donations over $2 are tax deductible.