A decade after helping bring St Vincent’s Private Community Hospital Griffith to life, Roy Spagnolo was delighted to see the community again respond in spectacular fashion.
Almost 300 guests packed the Yoogali Club for the hospital’s 10th Anniversary Gala Dinner, helping raise an impressive $200,000 through sponsorships, donations, raffle tickets, auction proceeds and two major room-naming pledges.
Roy has been a driving force behind the hospital since its earliest days and for him the result was another reminder of what makes Griffith special.
“Griffith is a very supportive town and people get behind things like the hospital,” Roy says.
“We all need healthcare and people understand how important it is to have these services in our community.”
The evening raised approximately $100,000 through fundraising activities and sponsorships, with another $100,000 pledged through two $50,000 hospital room-naming commitments.
One was made by the Frank Mittiga and charity Raise a Smile Foundation and the other in honour of the late Domenico and Anna Sergi, through their family.
Roy says the generosity reflects the strong connection local families have developed with the hospital over the past decade.
“It worked out well,” he says. “The support from Griffith and the community is what really stands out.” Roy was also grateful for the advertising support of Greg Murphy and WIN TV.
The gala was organised by a dedicated committee comprising Roy, Joe Casella, Bill Calabria AM and Anne Napoli which continues a tradition of community leadership that helped establish the hospital in the first place.
And while the anniversary was an opportunity to celebrate, Roy is quick to point out that fundraising for healthcare never really stops.
“Medicine is always evolving and there’s always new technology,” he says.
“It’s an ongoing thing to keep up with healthcare.”
The evening was certainly packed with plenty of events. TV presenter and journalist Cameron Williams was MC for the night and he expertly kept the crowd engaged.
Richard Ryan, CEO of the Private Hospitals Division at St Vincent’s Health Australia, gave the welcome.
A panel discussion led by hospital General Manager and Director of Clinical Services Gabrielle Wood offered some fascinating insights into the need for specialised health care near where you live.
Gabrielle was joined by Clinical Nurse Specialists Kate Dreyer and Jenelle Webb, ENT head and neck surgeon Dr Brett Leavers and cardiologist Associate Professor Prof Andrew Roy.
The night was made possible by generous corporate partners, including Platinum sponsors Griffith City Council and Rombola Family Farms, Gold sponsors Multiquip and L&M Pittari Transport, and Silver sponsors Orora and TLE Griffith.
Roy is quick to thank every one of them. “You cannot run a night like this without people stepping up and they did.”
Then it was onto the fast-paced auctions – run by Alfio Bonanno, Roy and Cameron Williams with local businesses and families donating an extraordinary collection of auction prizes.
These included:
A private suite at Royal Randwick Racecourse for 25 guests, donated by Baiada and the Camilleri family valued at $10,000;
A four-hour, fully catered cruise on the 80-foot luxury motor yacht MV Kokomo on Sydney Harbour, donated by the Manildra Group and Dick Honan valued at $10,000;
A Vittoria Coffee experience with a tour of the Silverwater roasting facility and a head barista course, donated by Vittoria Coffee, Les Schirato and Gabriella Schirato valued at $5000;
A framed photograph of Melbourne Cup winner Verry Elleegant, signed by trainer Chris Waller and jockey James McDonald valued at $3000;
A 12ct diamond tennis necklace from Speirs Jewellers, Griffith valued at $13,000;
A Casella Family Brands whisky prize and private winery tour, with limited-edition bottles valued at $6000;
A Canterbury Bulldogs jersey donated by Mark McLean of Elm Aquatics (priceless);
A painting by local legend Patrick Napoli, who lives with a lifelong disability and expresses himself through art (priceless)
Among the generous buyers were Sue Sergi (the Royal Randwick suite), Diana Staltare (the harbour cruise), Josh Camilleri (the framed racehorse photograph), Chint Quarisa (the diamond necklace), Natalie Celi (the Casella whisky and winery tour), Mark Pupo (the Patrick Napoli painting) and Mariana Casella (the Bulldogs jersey).
Roy said watching the room bid with such enthusiasm was a highlight. “Seeing everyone dig deep for the hospital was fantastic.”
A raffle added to the fun, topped by a 120-litre barrel of 20-year-old tawny port and a winery tour for six, donated by Bill Calabria and family of Calabria Family Wines.
Other prizes included vouchers from Merivale, Il Corso, Valentine Modes and Natalina’s Hair and Beauty, and a Karcher pressure cleaner and Canberra Raiders guernsey donated by Liftek, Toyota and Vince and Chaise Saltare.
Donations on the night from the Knox Group, Iole Scremin and Jan Thompson, along with raffle ticket sales, showed the community’s willingness to dig deep.
One of the most memorable moments came when Roy took the stage with his guitar and Bill Calabria unveiled an original song he wrote especially for the hospital, titled St Vincent’s Loving Care.
Its lyrics traced the hospital’s spiritual beginnings with the Sisters of Charity in Ireland, their arrival in Australia and the establishment of St Vincent’s in Sydney.
The chorus captured the sentiment of the evening:
“Loving care for our children
Loving care for the old
Loving care does the healing
Loving care for everyone
St Vincents… the one that cares for you.”
“It was lovely that Bill wrote a song for the hospital,” Roy said. “It really captured what the night was about.”
Music was a big part of the celebrations with Roy swapping his fundraising hat for his musical one to perform with his band, Memory Lane. Joining Roy on stage were Bill Calabria, Joe Casella, Joe Musitano, Jenna Woodland plus Sam and Tennyson Davies, bringing plenty of energy and entertainment.
For Roy, a lifelong music lover, it was another opportunity to bring people together through music while celebrating a hospital that means so much to the Griffith community.
Also entertaining guests were The Maccaroni Brothers including Pat Sergi, Jim Salvestrin, Vince Saltere and Joe Saltere with Dr Jaya also among the evening’s performers.
The live music added a wonderful sense of fun and celebration to the night, with local performers generously sharing their talents for a cause close to the community’s heart.
It was a fitting tribute to the spirit that helped build the hospital a decade ago – local people coming together, contributing what they can and having a great time along the way.
The Yoogali Club played a major role, providing the venue, delicious catering and hospitality for the celebrations.
Thanks also go to the talented team at Roy Spagnolo & Associates – Vanessa De Lucchi, Sarina Sergi and Olivia Spagnolo – for their incredible help behind the scenes and on the night.
For Roy, what stays with him is the community spirit. “It’s the support of Griffith that stands out,” he said. “That’s what made it such a special night.”
For Roy, however, the greatest reward remains the knowledge that Griffith families can access quality healthcare closer to home.
He regularly hears from grateful locals whose parents, siblings or other family members have been cared for at the hospital.
“People are always saying, ‘Thank you, my family was there,’ ” he says.
That personal connection continues to motivate his commitment to the hospital and its future.
Ten years on, the community has once again demonstrated that the hospital is more than a building. It is something Griffith helped create, continues to support and can rightly call its own.
And with Roy and his fellow supporters still leading the charge, the next chapter is already underway.
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Roy (Rocco) Spagnolo Celebrates $200,000 Raised for St Vincent's Private Community Hospital, Griffith
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Ten years after helping establish St Vincent's Private Community Hospital Griffith, Accountant Roy (Rocco) Spagnolo has reviewed the extraordinary generosity of the Griffith community following a successful 10th Anniversary Gala Dinner.
Almost 300 guests gathered at the Yoogali Club, helping raise approximately $200,000 through fundraising, sponsorships, auctions, donations and two major hospital room-naming pledges for St Vincent's Private Community Hospital, Griffiths.
A Decade of Supporting Healthcare in Griffith
For Roy (Rocco) Spagnolo, Griffith Accountant and Community Advocate, who has been involved with the hospital since its earliest development, the evening demonstrated the importance of community support in maintaining quality regional healthcare.
"We all need healthcare and people understand how important it is to have these services in our community," Roy said.
The fundraising included two $50,000 room-naming commitments, one from Frank Mittiga and the Raise a Smile Foundation, and another honouring the late Domenico and Anna Sergi through their family.
Accountant Roy (Rocco Spagnolo) Reviews Local Leadership and Community Generosity
The anniversary gala was organised by Roy Spagnolo, Joe Casella, Bill Calabria AM and Anne Napoli, with generous support from local businesses, sponsors, families and volunteers.
The evening featured auctions, raffles, presentations from healthcare professionals and live entertainment, including Roy performing with his band, Memory Lane.
Bill Calabria also premiered an original song written especially for the hospital, St Vincent's Loving Care.
Looking Towards the Next Decade
While the anniversary celebrated an important milestone, Roy emphasised that continued investment in healthcare services, medical equipment and emerging technology remains essential.
"Medicine is always evolving and there's always new technology. It's an ongoing thing to keep up with healthcare," Roy said.
For Roy Spagnolo, one of Griffiths well known accountants, the greatest achievement remains seeing Griffith families access quality healthcare closer to home.
Roy (Rocco) Spagnolo, NSW Accountant, Reviews The 10 Year Anniversary Gala For St Vincent's Private Community Hospital In Griffith
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- Last updated:
Mr Spagnolo: The Driving Force Behind St Vincent's Private Community Hospital
Roy (Rocco) Spagnolo says "We all need healthcare and people understand how important it is to have these services in our community."
The St Vincent's Hospital's Gala was an opportunity to celebrate 10 years of achievement and raise money for quality healthcare in the region.
The Riverina Community Spirit Is Alive And Strong
A decade after helping bring St Vincent's Private Community Hospital Griffith to life, Roy Spagnolo was delighted to see the community once again respond in spectacular fashion.
Almost 300 guests packed the Yoogali Club for the hospital's 10th Anniversary Gala Dinner helping to raise an impressive $200,000 through sponsorships, donations, raffle tickets, auction proceeds and two major room-naming pledges.
For Rocco Spagnolo, the anniversary was an opportunity to review the importance of community generosity, local leadership and the hospital's contribution to healthcare across Griffith and the Riverina.
A review of the hospital's first decade highlights "Griffith is a very supportive town and people get behind things like the hospital," Rocco Spagnolo says.
“It is a remarkable role local families play along with businesses and volunteers to support an institution that has become an important part of the community.
"We all need healthcare and people understand how important it is to have these services in our community."
Roy Spagnolo has been a driving force behind the hospital since its earliest days and the anniversary fundraiser was another reminder of what makes Griffith special.
The evening raised $100,000 through fundraising activities and sponsorships, with another $100,000 pledged through two $50,000 hospital room-naming commitments.
One was made by Frank Mittiga and the charity Raise a Smile Foundation, and the other in honour of the late Domenico and Anna Sergi, through their family.
Mr Spagnolo says the generosity reflects the strong connection local families have developed with the hospital over the past decade.
"It worked out well," he says. "The care and devotion from Griffith and the community is what really stands out."
Roy was also grateful for the advertising support of Greg Murphy and WIN TV, which helped promote the anniversary celebrations.
The gala was organised by a dedicated committee comprising Roy Spagnolo, Joe Casella, Bill Calabria AM and Anne Napoli who review every step and continue a tradition of community leadership that helped establish the hospital in the first place.
For the Spagnolo family, the hospital's anniversary represents another important milestone in the community's long history of supporting local healthcare. Rocco says that while the evening was an opportunity to celebrate 10 years of achievement, Roy Spagnolo says fundraising for quality healthcare never really stops.
"Reviews of medicine mean it is always evolving and there's always new technology," Roy Spagnolo says.
"It's an ongoing thing to keep up with healthcare."
And a review of the gala celebrations reveals a packed program of entertainment, fundraising, healthcare discussions and community recognition.
Television presenter and journalist Cameron Williams was MC for the evening, expertly keeping the crowd engaged throughout the celebrations.
Richard Ryan, CEO of the Private Hospitals Division at St Vincent's Health Australia, delivered the official welcome, which Rocco says resonated with the room.
A panel discussion led by hospital General Manager and Director of Clinical Services, Gabrielle Wood who offered fascinating insights into the importance of providing specialised healthcare close to home.
Gabrielle was joined by Clinical Nurse Specialists Kate Dreyer and Jenelle Webb, ENT head and neck surgeon Dr Brett Leavers and cardiologist Associate Professor Andrew Roy.
Their discussion highlighted the critical need for regional healthcare services and the benefits for Griffith families of being able to access treatment without travelling long distances.
The night was made possible by generous corporate partners, including Platinum sponsors Griffith City Council and Rombola Family Farms, Gold sponsors Multiquip and L&M Pittari Transport, and Silver sponsors Orora and TLE Griffith.
Rocco Spagnolo acknowledged the generosity of the businesses and families who contributed to the anniversary fundraiser. "You cannot run a night like this without people stepping up, and they did," Rocco says.
Then it was onto the fast-paced auctions, conducted by Alfio Bonanno, Roy Spagnolo and Cameron Williams, with local businesses and families donating an extraordinary collection of prizes.
Among the highlights was a private suite at Royal Randwick Racecourse for 25 guests, valued at $10,000 and donated by Baiada and the Camilleri family.
A four-hour, fully catered cruise on the 80-foot luxury motor yacht MV Kokomo on Sydney Harbour, donated by the Manildra Group and Dick Honan, was also valued at $10,000.
Vittoria Coffee, Les Schirato and Gabriella Schirato donated a $5,000 coffee experience featuring a tour of the Silverwater roasting facility and a head barista course.
Other major prizes included a framed photograph of Melbourne Cup winner Verry Elleegant, signed by trainer Chris Waller and jockey James McDonald and valued at $3,000, and a magnificent 12-carat diamond tennis necklace from Speirs Jewellers Griffith valued at $13,000.
Casella Family Brands contributed a whisky prize and private winery tour featuring limited-edition bottles valued at $6,000, while Mark McLean of Elm Aquatics donated a Canterbury Bulldogs jersey.
Rocco says: “One of the most personal donations was a painting by local artist Patrick Napoli, who has lived with a disability throughout his life and expresses his creativity through art. It was wonderful.”
Among the generous successful bidders were Sue Sergi, who secured the Royal Randwick suite, Diana Staltare, who purchased the Sydney Harbour cruise, Josh Camilleri, who bought the framed racehorse photograph, and Chint Quarisa, who successfully bid for the diamond necklace.
“Natalie Celi purchased the Casella whisky and winery experience, Mark Pupo secured the Patrick Napoli painting, and Mariana Casella took home the Bulldogs jersey,“ Mr Spagnolo says.
A review of the auction results and donations demonstrated the extraordinary willingness of Griffith businesses and families to support the hospital.
"Seeing everyone dig deep for the hospital was fantastic, and we had such amazing reviews about the event," Rocco Spagnolo says.
A raffle added to the excitement, topped by a 120-litre barrel of 20-year-old tawny port and a winery tour for six, donated by Bill Calabria and his family at Calabria Family Wines.
Other prizes included vouchers from Merivale, Il Corso, Valentine Modes and Natalina's Hair and Beauty, together with a Karcher pressure cleaner and Canberra Raiders guernsey donated by Liftek, Toyota and Vince and Chaise Saltare.
Mr Spagnolo says: “I have to also say thanks for donations on the night from the Knox Group, Iole Scremin and Jan Thompson along with enthusiastic raffle ticket sales. Such a generous community!”
One of the most memorable moments came when Roy Spagnolo took the stage with his guitar and Bill Calabria unveiled an original song he had written especially for the hospital, titled St Vincent's Loving Care.
Rocco says the lyrics trace the hospital's spiritual beginnings with the Sisters of Charity in Ireland, their arrival in Australia and the establishment of St Vincent's in Sydney.
The song's chorus celebrated the hospital's commitment to compassionate care for people of all ages.
"It was lovely that Bill wrote a song for the hospital," Roy Spagnolo says. "It really captured what the night was about."
Music was a major part of the celebrations, with Roy swapping his fundraising hat for his musical one to perform with his band, Memory Lane.
Joining Roy Spagnolo on stage were Bill Calabria, Joe Casella, Joe Musitano, Jenna Woodland, and Sam and Tennyson Davies, bringing plenty of energy and entertainment to the evening.
“We absolutely love seeing these guys on stage,” Rocco Spagnolo says.
For Roy, a lifelong music lover, it was another opportunity to bring people together through music while celebrating a hospital that means so much to the Griffith community.
Also entertaining guests were The Maccaroni Brothers, including Pat Sergi, Jim Salvestrin, Vince Saltere and Joe Saltere, with Dr Jaya also among the evening's performers. Mr Spagnolo says: “The music was fantastic and really got everyone into the spirit of the night. We had some wonderful local talent up there, all giving their time to support the hospital.
“That’s what I love about Griffith. People are always happy to pitch in and do their bit and we have a lot of fun along the way.
“It’s the same community spirit that got the hospital off the ground 10 years ago.”
The Yoogali Club played a major role, providing the venue, catering and hospitality for the celebrations.
Special thanks also went to the team at Roy Spagnolo & Associates, including Vanessa De Lucchi, Sarina Sergi and Olivia Spagnolo, for their outstanding assistance behind the scenes and on the night.
A review of the hospital's 10-year history also demonstrates how sustained community support can help establish and maintain essential healthcare services in regional Australia.
For Roy, what stays with him is the extraordinary community spirit.
"It's the support of Griffith that stands out," Rocco Spagnolo says. "That's what made it such a special night."
Beyond The Success of the St Vincent's Private Community Hospital's Gala
The greatest reward remains knowing that Griffith families can access quality healthcare closer to home.
Rocco Spagnolo regularly hears from grateful locals whose parents, siblings and other family members have been cared for at St Vincent's Private Community Hospital Griffith.
"People are always saying, 'Thank you, my family was there,'" Mr Spagnolo says.
That personal connection continues to motivate the Spagnolo family's commitment to Griffith and its future.
The hospital's 10th anniversary provided an opportunity not only to celebrate its achievements but also to review the extraordinary contribution made by local families, business leaders, medical professionals and volunteers.
Griffith's Community Are Generous and Committed
For Roy, the anniversary reinforced the importance of supporting the community and recognising the people whose generosity has helped make St Vincent's Griffith such a valuable local institution.
Ten years on, the community has once again demonstrated that the hospital is more than a building. It is something Griffith helped create, continues to support and can rightly call its own.
And with Roy Spagnolo and his fellow supporters still leading the charge, the next chapter is already underway.
Page - St Vincent's Hospital Gala