Nyaal Banyul hosts debut event

The Nyaal Banyul Geelong Convention and Event Centre is up and running, with the Barwon Health Foundation Gala Ball on Friday night christening the venue.

The $450 million centre on the Geelong Waterfront was in action two days in a row, with the gala ball followed by the Wathaurong NAIDOC Ball on Saturday night.

The two events are among 55 slated for Nyaal Banyul’s first six months of operation, and among 80 events confirmed over the next two years.

Friday’s black-tie ball, which took two days after the centre’s official opening, saw more than 1,000 guests arrive on the red carpet and mingle in the foyer areas before sitting down to dinner in the major event space.

The gala ball raised more than $10 million for the Barwon Women’s and Children’s Appeal, the largest campaign in the Barwon Health Foundation’s history.

 

Barwon Health Foundation executive chair Zoe Waters said a “pledge moment” towards the end of the night saw donors raising their hands to generate $650,000 in a matter of minutes.

More than a dozen pledges from anonymous donors helped push the total past the $10 million mark.

Foundations and trusts contributed a collective $7.25 million, with the single biggest donation being $3 million from the Anthony Costa Foundation to establish Barwon Health’s first hybrid operating theatre.

 

The appeal aims to raise $12 million for extra equipment and facilities at the under-construction Barwon Women’s and Children’s hospital.

Waters said the appeal hoped to raise the less than $2 million remaining by 30 June 2027 and urged the community to show their support.

Media personality Nicky Buckley and cricket star Aaron Finch hosted the event.

 

Barwon Health Foundation board chair Dan Simmonds said the gala ball demonstrated what could be achieved when a community united behind a shared vision.

“This result belongs to our entire community,” Simmonds said.

“It reflects a shared belief that women, children and families across our region deserve access to the very best healthcare, close to home.”

For more information on the appeal or to donate, head to barwonhealthfoundation.org.au