Perth’s Longest Lunch raises funds for Western Australians in care

Almost 1,000 guests gathered in the hotel’s new Crown Ballroom for the Brightwater Care Group fundraiser, where they indulged in a six-course degustation menu featuring the best ingredients from the Great Southern region, paired with the best WA wines.

A team of 150 kitchen and banqueting staff prepared and served over 5,500 dishes throughout the six-hour long event, including poached marron, roasted venison and chocolate spheres.

Actor and comedian Shane Jacobson oversaw the event’s proceedings, including entertainment by 2015 X-Factor stars Jess and Matt, violinist Patrick Roberts, electric-cellist duo Hanna and DJ Chad, and house band Proof.  

The event is the biggest fundraiser for not-for-profit organisation Brightwater, which provides residential aged care, in-home care and disability services throughout WA.

Brightwater Chief Executive Officer Jennifer Lawrence, who describes the annual event as a ‘fundraiser in disguise’, says attendance has almost doubled since the lunch’s debut in 2015.

“We are thrilled with the way that corporate Perth has embraced this event,” Ms Lawrence says.

“We know that there are guests who arrive in the room knowing very little about Brightwater and the work we do – but they leave with a very clear understanding that we strive to do things differently, creating opportunities and delighting people in all kinds of ways.

Guests were also shown a presentation on how music programs are implemented in Brightwater’s many residential aged care facilities to improve the lives and wellbeing of residents, funded through the organisations Life’s Possibilities fund.

“The generosity on the day and the energy in the room is palpable,” Ms Lawrence says.

“I wish to thank each and every one who donated to our Life’s Possibilities fund, which we’ll use to run dedicated music programs across our sites.”

The Perth’s Longest Lunch event will be held again in 2018 at the Crown Tower’s Hotel in Perth on Friday, May 18. Tickets are available online at the Perth’s Longest Lunch website.