A Day on the Greens to Celebrate Community and Heart

For the 32nd year, the Challenge community came together for a spectacular day on the greens, followed by an unforgettable night at the Pullman Melbourne on the Park.

The day began at the picturesque Yarra Yarra Golf Club, where our guests braved a challenging course and less-than-ideal weather. Despite the rain and clouds, spirits remained high as teams embraced the camaraderie and friendly competition that define this event. The fairways buzzed with remarkable teamwork, but as always, only a few teams could claim victory. Congratulations to Martec for securing third place, Maben for taking second, and our ultimate champions, ALH, whose joy was as big as their win! Every winner went home with well-deserved prizes, a testament to their hard-fought efforts.

After an exciting day of golf, the festivities continued with an electric evening at the Pullman. Hosted by one of Australia’s most beloved comedians, Tom Gleisner, the room was buzzing from start to finish. Highlights of the night included an exciting live auction featuring exclusive items and a show-stopping performance by INXSive, an INXS tribute band so authentic it felt like a nostalgic trip back to the ‘90s.

Amid the laughter and festivities, the evening’s deeper purpose was brought into focus by our International Patron, Robert Allenby. A steadfast supporter of Challenge for over three decades, Robert spoke with heartfelt passion about the vital impact we can achieve together. His heartfelt words moved the room, inspiring extraordinary generosity that left us all humbled and deeply grateful.

We feel incredibly fortunate to know Robert Allenby – not just as a world-class golfer, but as a deeply generous and compassionate individual whose impact on Challenge extends far beyond what you might read in the papers. His unwavering commitment over three decades has not only raised critical funds but has also left an enduring mark on countless lives. This year, his involvement in both the day’s golf activities and the evening’s celebrations provided a powerful reminder of the extraordinary person Robert truly is.

One moment that perfectly captured his character took place during the children’s golf clinic, an annual highlight of this event for some of our aspiring Challenge golfers. Among the young participants was Hugo, a budding golfer whose enthusiasm and curiosity caught Robert’s attention. After the clinic, Robert took the time to give Hugo a personal one-on-one session, offering guidance with humour, patience, and kindness. The experience left Hugo beaming, and later, he shared with his mum that meeting and learning from Robert made it “one of the best days of his life.”

This is the Robert Allenby we are privileged to know – someone who not only inspires with his accomplishments but uplifts those around him with his time, warmth, and heart. We are endlessly grateful for all he has done for Challenge and the families we support.

To everyone who made this day and night possible – our wonderful guests, generous sponsors, and tireless volunteers – thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Your support ensures we can continue making a difference in the lives of the families we serve.

That’s a wrap for 2024! We hope you enjoyed the event as much as we did and look forward to seeing you next year for another day of fun, connection, and purpose.