Over 260 people gathered to celebrate Doncare’s 50th Anniversary at the Mayoral Ball on Friday 25 October. Manningham Mayor, Cr Paula Piccinini nominated the not-for-profit community services organisation as the beneficiary of funds raised at this year’s event to support Resilient Kids - Positive Futures, a new initiative to expand Doncare’s services to support vulnerable children.

As well as raising funds for Resilient Kids – Positive futures, the Mayoral Ball celebrated Doncare’s 50 years serving the community. Cr Piccinini acknowledged the significant contribution Doncare has made to enhance to quality of life of vulnerable and disadvantaged families over its 50 year history.

Doncare‘s philosophy - “for the community, by the community” remains as true today as it did 50 years ago, Paula said. “The founders of Doncare didn’t wait around for governments to identify and address growing social isolation and vulnerabilities - they just rolled up their sleeves and provided care and support.”

Doncare continues to be responsive to community needs by developing programs that provide pathways for marginalised people to overcome adversity and the organisation is highly regarded as a powerful mechanism for promoting social inclusion through volunteerism. Doncare provides counselling; family violence prevention and recovery programs; recreational activities for socially isolated seniors; financial and material aid to families and individuals experiencing extreme hardship; case management and in-home support to families.

The Mayor also congratulated the team from Onemda who celebrated their 50th Anniversary this year. ‘They really are kicking goals with a new 5 million dollar therapy and innovation centre which opened a few months ago at their main facility on Andersons’ Creek Road” she said. “Onemda is a leader in learning and therapeutic development for people with a disability.”

This year’s Mayoral Ball truly reflected Doncare’s philosophy ‘for the community, by the community’ with the cream of civil society in Manningham in attendance ready to celebrate and support the cause. Representatives of the Rotary Clubs of Templestowe, Manningham, Warrandyte and Donvale together with community sporting clubs, the Bullants, Bulleen Lions, Doncaster Rovers and the Yarra Junior Football League joined guests from MannaCare, The Veneto Club, Zero 95, Bendigo Bank, EACH and Aquarena.

89.9 Light FM’s Lucy Holmes and third generation Park Orchards, Real Estate Agent, Daniel D’Assisi did a stellar job encouraging the crowd to dig deep. Daniel auctioned a keynote speaking engagement by Doncare Patron, 2015 Australian of the Year, Dr Rosie Batty AO which generated a bidding frenzy, so too did the Light FM radio advertising campaign and luxury Bali escape.

Over $35,000 was raised at the Mayoral Ball, which along with the generous contribution from the Asian Australian Foundation and a two year grant from Manningham Council, will enable Doncare to deliver this unique program to improve community connectedness and build resilience in local children.

“We felt very privileged to have the Mayor’s support this year and to be given this opportunity to celebrate our wonderful milestone of 50 years” said Doncare CEO Doreen Stoves AM PSM JP. “It was fabulous to see Manningham school communities, other not-for-profits, the business community and political representatives all come together to help Doncare celebrate and to give so generously to our cause”.

Asian Australian Foundation’s Noel Leung with Doncare Patron, 2015 Australian of the Year, Dr Rosie Batty and CEO, Doreen Stoves AM PSM JP.