Wombat’s Wish hopes for good result at Gala Night

THE Greater Geelong community is ready to band together to raise crucial funds for a local bereavement service based in Drysdale.

The biennial Wombat’s Wish Gala Night, held every two years, is locked in for its return to GMHBA Stadium tomorrow (Saturday, March 2) night.

Wombat’s Wish general manager Nicki Dunn said the team was excited for this weekend, as the non-profit aimed to produce enough funds through ticket sales and raffle items to facilitate a full weekend bereavement program.

“We have 180 people confirmed for Saturday’s event, but we do still have a few tickets left at $105 per ticket, so we encourage anyone to reach out prior to the night.

“We have close to 80 donors who have donated to goods and services to the silent auction, and we have all of our ambassadors locked in as well: Tom Hawkins, Emily Mannix, Travis Boak (via video link), and Wombat’s Wish patron Brian Cook.

“It’s the biggest fundraising event we host, and it promises to be another lovely night full of generosity.”

The night will involve dining, silent auctions and raffles, a Q&A panel featuring local families affected by bereavement, and a Q&A panel with the charity’s ambassadors.

Wombat’s Wish’s previous Gala Night raised more than $21,000, but Ms Dunn said the charity aimed to raise over $30,000 this weekend, which would allow 12 families to attend a two-day bereavement program.

Wombat’s Wish community engagement officer Suzy Coad said the two-day getaway programs were essential to providing grieving families with the necessary tools to process bereavement.

The programs allow families going through the loss of a loved one to spend a weekend at local campsites around the state in locations such as Anglesea, Queenscliff, Corop and Grantville.

“A lot of what these programs are about is for kids to make lifelong connections,” Ms Coad said.

“It’s also to let them know they are not on their own, and it’s not just about coping and living with their grief. It also provides parents with resources to support their children through bereavement.

“We try to reinforce those connections as well by having family days through the year so these families can reconnect.

“We hope we can continue to facilitate these programs with the valuable funds raised at our Gala Night.”

To purchase last-minute tickets to tomorrow’s Gala Night, phone the Wombat’s Wish office at 03 9069 0314, send a direct message to the charity’s social media platforms, or visit its office at 1/6 High Street, Drysdale.