The National Convention Centre was transformed into a Shakespearean delight for the 2025 RMHC Lexus of Canberra Gala Ball. Photo: GGoodwin Media.
If one event on the Canberra calendar could stand out against all others, it would have to be the RMHC Lexus of Canberra Gala Ball.
Held each year when the weather begins to cool, the grand event attracts generous partygoers from all over the city and beyond.
Past themes have included Wonderland and Carnival with great success, but in 2025, Ronald McDonald House ACT & South East NSW really stepped things up a notch.
The Gala Ball’s most recent theme was A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
The National Convention Centre was completely transformed. Twinkling table centrepieces, lush foliage, flower crowns, and a gentle rainbow light show flowed throughout the ballroom. Aerial performers twirled on stage to soft, ethereal music.
Hundreds donned their best fairytale-esque finery and flocked to the ballroom, ready to celebrate, reflect and donate.
Presenter Richard Wilkins MC’d the event.
Key speakers included Ben Stockbridge, chair of the RMHC ACT & South East NSW board; Hani Sidaros, chair of the Gala Ball Committee; and Lee Maiden, executive officer at RMHC ACT & South East NSW.
Mirko Milic, Dealer Principal at Lexus & Canberra Toyota, also spoke. He did so with great pride, as 2025 marks Lexus of Canberra’s 11th year as the gala’s major sponsor.
Family speakers Kim Bowden and Grant Holman took to the stage after dinner.
Kim and Grant spent 96 nights at RMHC’s Canberra House following the birth of their child, Halle Holman, who came into the world at just 26 weeks.
During their stay, Halle fought through two infections, three invasive eye tests, four blood transfusions, 15 x-rays and 78 blood tests. Halle remained in an incubator for 70 days and on breathing support for 80 days.
Kim and Grant credit RMHC as a saving grace, both financially and emotionally, along with the lifelong friendships they made with other families during their stay.
“The whole experience was a very emotional, trying time in our lives, and I hate to think how different our time in Canberra would have been without Ronald McDonald House,” Kim said on the night.
“Without you being here tonight and supporting these guys, there would be no Ronald McDonald House in Canberra.
“I will be forever grateful for this amazing charity and for you, for your kind donations and ongoing support, which allows families like ours to focus on the difficult road ahead and offers peace of mind when we need it most.”
Halle is now 18 months old and doing well with no complications.
Expansion is on the horizon for RMHC, following the highest demand ever recorded for its services last year.
More than 3000 families were supported across all programs in 2024, and 3204 nights of accommodation were provided at Canberra House.
Funds raised at the Gala Ball will go towards RMHC’s Canberra House, Hospitality Cart and the Family Room at Canberra Hospital, the Relax & Recharge program at North Canberra Hospital and John James Hospital, and the Family Retreat on the South Coast.
“The longest stay we’ve had at RMHC in Canberra was over 300 nights,” Lee Maiden said.
“We take one bit of stress off parents’ shoulders and give them a home away from home so that they can focus on their children’s health. We also provide a family room so those living locally have a place to rest while their child is receiving treatment in hospital.
“Finally, our seaside family retreat in Batemans Bay offers a chance for families to get away and spend quality time together for up to a week, entirely free of cost.”
Lee said she was blown away by the generosity of attendees from Canberra and those who travelled for the gala ball.
“Times aren’t easy, but we still raised more than $525,000 to go towards supporting seriously ill children and their families in the nation’s capital,” she said.
“I want to say a huge thank you to everyone who attended. We were prepared not to match last year’s amount, given the current cost climate, but you all blew us away.
“This is our biggest fundraising event of the year, and you are the ones who make it so special, so thank you.”
For more information or to donate, visit Ronald McDonald House Charities: ACT & South East NSW.
