Dinner for Dollars: Tobin Brothers Foundation Fundraiser 2014

An invitation to a ‘dazzling evening with entertainment, dinner, drinks, dancing and a silent auction’ certainly fulfilled its promise at the 2014 Tobin Brothers Foundation Fundraising Dinner held at Thornbury Theatre on Friday 1st August.

Established in 1984 to mark the company’s 50th anniversary, the Tobin Brothers Foundation makes annual grants to organisations and individuals whose work can be shown to have meaningful community benefit, and the money raised from these annual dinners fund the grants for the year that follows. Since its establishment, the Foundation has made over 250 separate monetary awards now totaling over $380,000 to an array of worthy community groups.

The night of the 1st August was the coldest night recorded in Melbourne all year, but that didn’t stop people attending and joining us for a great night out. Introductions were made by the Foundation Chairman Trevor O’Hoy (left), and MC Bryan Martin (right), and guests were shown a short DVD about the good work of the Tobin Brothers Foundation and previous grant recipients. More than 250 guests, including our various sponsors, were then treated to a three course meal, drinks and the sounds of ‘Clear View’, a four piece cover band from Melbourne, that sure knew how to get people up and dancing!

The photobooth in the foyer proved popular as guests lined up in costume to have their turn, the challenge was on to take the most creative photo of the night with an Instagram competition #dinnerfordollars. Photos poured in as people hoped to win a bottle of Verve Cliquot – but more importantly, to have a silly photo of themselves dressed up with co-workers to home with them. Taking the table centerpiece home as a door prize was a lucky surprise for 24 winners also! Money was raised through the sale of raffle tickets on the tables and a silent auction. Bidding sheets were placed into boxes so anticipation was high as no one was to know who held the highest bid – what that bid would be, or if they had perhaps outbid themselves!

What was the result of the night you ask?… We are delighted to announce that this year’s fundraising event raised $27,000 for the Tobin Brothers Foundation! Thanks go to our 13 GOLD and 9 SILVER Sponsors for the evening and all the companies and individuals who supported the function by making monetary donations, donations of raffle prizes and auction items.

Gold Sponsors

ACC
Checkpoint Catering
Crosier Scott Architects
Foresters Friendly Society
Genelyn
iBag
Mercedes-Benz Berwick
Michael Tobin and family
Newscorp
North Melbourne Football Club
SEN
Thinktank Social
WGC Business Advisors

Silver Sponsors

Crocmedia
Dodge Australia
Harris Carlson Lawyers
Moret Cleaning
Plumit
Print Logistics
Shout Web Strategy
With Compliments Indoor Plant Hire
Yellow Pages

Raffle Winners The raffle drawn on the evening saw the prize winners as follows: 1st Prize : $1,000 Jetset Travel Voucher – Winner Lesley Jonis 2nd Prize : Endota Spa Package– Winner Adrian Mascetti 3rd Prize : Crown Gift Card $200 – Winner Damian McLeod 4th Prize : Coles Myer voucher $100 – Winner Corry Barbaro 5th Prize : Village Cinema Voucher $50 – Winner Samantha Rennie Thank you again to everyone that who supported the event by attending the night, buying raffle tickets and/or auction items, and donating to this fantastic charity. Your support and participation makes a real difference to a wide range of people, and helps organisations and individuals who receive future grants, to continue their valuable work in our community. We look forward to the 2015 Fundraiser and hope to see you there!

Written by Laura Flowerday – Tobin Brothers Funerals.

Photography by Matt Weedon – Tobin Brothers Funerals