An evening in support of the Barwon Women’s and Children’s Appeal
2026 Gala Ball
1,017 guests. One extraordinary night at Nyaal Banyul, and a result our region will feel for generations.
Date
Friday 3 July 2026
Venue
Nyaal Banyul, Geelong
Dress
Black Tie
The Result
Together, we raised
For the Barwon Women’s and Children’s Appeal.
Save the Date
Barwon Health Foundation
Gala Ball 2027
Friday 25 June 2027
We can't wait to do it all again.
Highlights
Watch the night unfold.
Relive the magic of Geelong’s most extraordinary Gala Ball.
Videography by Recreate
The Night
A night Geelong will never forget.
On Friday 3 July, 1,017 guests filled the very first Gala Ball at Nyaal Banyul Geelong Convention & Event Centre: a night of fine dining, live entertainment and remarkable generosity to launch the Barwon Women’s & Children’s Appeal.
Together, our community raised more than $10 million to support women, babies, children and families across the Geelong region, helping ensure vital maternity, neonatal, paediatric and women’s health services stay close to home.
A Gala for Geelong. By Geelong.
From the Night
The evening in full.
Media Wall Gallery
Scroll to browse › Photography by Monika Berry Photography
View & Download Media Wall GalleryGala Gallery
Scroll to browse › Photography by Monika Berry Photography
Caitlin Locke Photography
Scroll to browse › Photography by Caitlin Locke Photography
The Impact
Care close to home.
During the Gala Ball, the Cooke family shared what it meant to rely on local care after Emily was diagnosed with cancer as a young child. For their family, care close to home meant her parents could visit during admissions. It meant music therapy could make the hardest days feel a little more bearable.
“Thank you to the Cooke family for trusting us with your story.”
Key Donations
Extraordinary generosity.
The night’s result was led by a series of landmark gifts to the Barwon Women’s and Children’s Appeal. To every donor, at every level: thank you.
Anthony Costa Foundation
$3,000,000
For the Barwon Women’s and Children’s Appeal.
Cotton On Foundation
$1,750,000
Supporting the Children’s Ward and Special Care Nursery.
Percy Baxter Charitable Trust
$1,500,000
To establish the Baxter Maternity Unit.
Gwyneth Raymond Trust
$1,000,000
To establish the Gwyneth Raymond Child and Adolescent Clinics.
Bendigo Bank & Our Community Banks
$200,000
Bellarine, Corangamite, Leopold, Barwon Heads and Benefit Geelong.
Barry & Jan Fagg
Ambassador Circle
Continuing an extraordinary family legacy.
Ray & Sue Frost
Ambassador Circle
John & Mary Stekelenburg
Ambassador Circle
Deam Family
Ambassador Circle
Geelong Port
Ambassador Circle
Teresa and Paul Hanlon and Family
Ambassador Circle
Andrew Senia
Ambassador Circle
Keith & Heather Fagg
Leadership Circle
The first believers in this vision.
Our Partners
With thanks to our sponsors.
The Gala Ball was made possible by the generous partners of our region.
Presenting Partner
For enquiries:
Barwon Health Foundation | foundation@barwonhealth.org.au | 03 4215 8900
