CLCRF’s 40th Anniversary Celebration
2020 is a milestone year for CLCRF, as it marks our 40th Anniversary of raising funds and awareness for childhood cancer research. With the COVID-19 pandemic, and all of the restrictions that have come with it, we were not sure if we were going to be able to celebrate this incredible accomplishment this year.
After having to scrap our plans for a celebration earlier in the year, we made the decision to merge our 40th Anniversary Celebration with our Annual General Meeting (AGM), after restrictions were eased and the Department of Health allowed it. Both events were held at Ambrose Estate at the scenic Wembley Golf Course on Monday, December 7.
The Foundation’s 27th AGM took place from 5pm, led by Chairman Geoff Cattach and CEO Andrea Alexander. If there was a world record for the shortest AGM ever, Andrea and Geoff surely broke it, with the AGM lasting around 10 minutes!
The shortened meeting did not mean members missed out on important information – everything they needed to know was carefully put together in the Annual Report, which they were presented with upon arrival. CLCRF Board members were also happy to address any questions or concerns during the function that followed.
When the AGM wrapped up, members were invited to enjoy a drink on the deck, overlooking the stunning gardens and picturesque lake of Wembley Golf Course. By 6pm, over 130 invited guests started to arrive for the Foundation’s 40th Anniversary Celebration.
The celebrations kicked off with the very talented Western Australian Youth Strings Orchestra, who played their own renditions of fan favourite tunes, such as The Little Mermaid’s Under the Sea and the Pirates of the Caribbean theme song.
Guests were treated to delicious canapés as they were free to mingle and check out the display of photographs from the Foundation’s 40-year history. They also enjoyed delightful speeches from Professor Jonathan Carapetis AM, Director of the Telethon Kids Institute, and Professor Terry Johns, Professor of Paediatric Cancer Research and the Head of the Telethon Kids Cancer Centre.
Jonathan and Terry provided great insight into the Telethon Kids Institute’s relationship with CLCRF. Child cancer researchers at the Telethon Kids Institute’s Kids Cancer Centre rely heavily on CLCRF to continue funding their important projects, and this became very clear through both of these speeches as the gentleman thanked the Foundation for what it’s made possible.
Andrea and Geoff also addressed the crowd, thanking them for their support not only during this unprecedented year, but throughout the past 40 years. “It takes a village to raise funds for childhood cancer research,” said Andrea. “Thank you to each and every one of you for being a part of our village.”
As a small gesture of the Foundation’s gratitude, each guest was given a gift as they left the event, a special 40th Anniversary stemless wine glass beautifully wrapped with a ruby ribbon.
Overall, it was such a lovely night, full of so many new and old faces. “I think we can all agree how lucky we are here in Perth and WA, that we can all get together and celebrate the 40th Anniversary of the Foundation,” said Andrea. “Thank you to everyone who came and helped us make the night so special.”
If you would like to become a CLCRF member, and enjoy future events like this, sign up to become a member today! Our wonderful members are so critical to the ongoing success of the Foundation and you can take pleasure in knowing you are helping such an important cause.