The countdown is on to St Vincent’s Private Community Hospital Griffith’s 10th Anniversary Gala Dinner and once again, the Griffith community has stepped up in spectacular style.

More than 300 people are expected to pack the Yoogali Club on Thursday September 24 for a night celebrating one of the community’s great achievements.

Roy Spagnolo says the response has been fantastic. 

“It is going to be a great night,” he says.

“Everywhere you look, somebody has offered to help and donated something, sponsored something or bought a table.

“That is Griffith. People get behind things and they want to be part of it.”

And there is certainly plenty to get excited about. The auction alone has attracted an extraordinary collection of prizes.

There is a $13,000 diamond tennis necklace donated by Speirs Jewellers Griffith, a private suite at Royal Randwick for 25 guests worth $10,000 donated by Baiada and the Camilleri Family and a four-hour luxury $10,000 Sydney Harbour cruise aboard the 80-foot MV Kokomo, donated by the Manildra Group and Dick Honan.

Legendary trainer Chris Waller has donated a $3000 framed photograph of 2021 Melbourne Cup winner Verry Elleegant, signed by him and jockey James McDonald.

The Casella Family has donated a private winery tour and collection of special-edition whisky and wines worth $6000.

Vittoria Coffee, Les Schirato and Gabriella Schirato have contributed a $5,000 Vittoria Coffee experience including a barista course and gourmet lunch.

And a painting generously donated by talented local artist Patrick Napoli – a priceless artwork – will also go under the hammer. 

“You look at those prizes and it is pretty incredible,” Roy says.

“People have been enormously generous and that is what makes a night like this work.

“You cannot do it without sponsors, donors and people willing to put their hand up and say, ‘We’ll help’.”

The raffle table will definitely be worth a visit too.

Calabria Wines has donated a 120-litre barrel of 20-year-old Tawny Port and tour, while other raffle supporters include Merivale, Berton Wines, Liftek, Il Corso, Valentine Modes, Natalina’s Hair and Beauty and Eclipse The Essential Spa.
 
The businesses backing the night as major sponsors include Platinum partners Griffith City Council and Rombola Family Farms, Gold partners Multiquip and L&M Pittari Transport, and Silver partners Orora and the WIN Network. 

“It is a big community effort and that is exactly what we wanted this anniversary to be,” Roy says.

“We want to raise money but we also want people to enjoy themselves and celebrate what has been achieved over ten years.”

TV journalist Cameron Williams will MC the evening, with entertainment from Alfio Bonanno, Memory Lane and the Maccaroni Brothers. There will also be a panel featuring hospital clinicians and staff, before the auction, raffle and anniversary celebrations continue into the night. 

And the gala will not be the final chance to mark the milestone.

On Friday October 2, from 11-11.45am, there will be a 10th anniversary blessing onsite open to everyone at St Vincent’s Private Community Hospital Griffith at 41-45 Animoo Ave.

Roy says it will be a simple but important opportunity to celebrate with the people who have supported the hospital over the past decade and the staff who are enormously proud of what it has become.

“The gala is going to be a big celebration, but the blessing will be something a little different,” Roy says.

“We would love to see the people who have supported us over the years come along and, importantly, give our staff the chance to celebrate too.

“They are the people inside this hospital every day.

“Ten years is a pretty special milestone. I think all of Griffith deserves to enjoy it.”

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