A Silver Legacy: Where Every Sparkle Tells a Story

Diamonds 2025 dazzled from the very first moment, setting the tone for an unforgettable evening of glamour, generosity, and heart. Making their entrance in true show-stopping style, our hosts Andy Lee and Kris Smith danced onto the stage to Boombastic by Shaggy, bringing all the charm, cheek, and “Mr. Lover Lover” energy the crowd could handle. From that moment on, the tone was set: this was going to be a night to remember. 

From Transit Dance’s sparkling Kylie tribute – complete with high kicks, glitter, and pure pop joy – to Taxiride’s electrifying live set that had the crowd singing word-for-word, the entertainment throughout the evening was nothing short of spectacular. The dancefloor came alive under the magic of Ava David on the decks and her all-star live ensemble featuring Gary lighting it up on sax, Sammy keeping the rhythm on percussion, and Emmanuela captivating the crowd with her powerhouse vocals.

Speaking of stopping the room, acclaimed aerialist Shannon stunned guests with a breathtaking performance, gracefully contorting and twirling above the crowd with a level of elegance and control only she could deliver. It was a moment of awe and artistry that left everyone speechless.

But the sparkle didn’t stop at the Palladium. Just across the way, the River Room was buzzing with its own kind of magic – a haven of beauty, mystique, and indulgence. Guests lined up to have their fortunes read by the mesmerising Denise Wilkinson and her team, whose palm readings revealed glimpses of futures filled with love, luck, and laughter. The Brow Technicians were on hand to shape and fluff brows into perfection, Masci Hair and Spa tamed curls with expert flair, and the students from Elly Lukas added those perfect final flourishes to nails and makeup.

But the true magic of the evening came from the stories shared. As Andy Lee remarked before welcoming our guest speaker Susan Cameron to the stage, while the night is filled with fun and celebration, there’s always a deeper purpose that brings us all together: raising vital funds for Challenge.

Sue captivated the room with her powerful story – her journey as a Challenge mum with a reminder of the strength found in presence, and the quiet power of kindness during life’s most difficult moments. Her words grounded the night in meaning, reminding us why we were all there.

That message was further cemented when Leesa Gathercole was crowned our 2025 Diamond of the Year. Visibly taken aback and humbled, Leesa graciously accepted the award and shared a heartfelt story that beautifully illustrated how Challenge supports families in both big and small ways. She spoke of a time when her son Thomas was in ICU, and how our in-hospital coordinator Micka stepped in – not just for Thomas, but for the whole family. He offered to take her other son, Bryce, out for a few hours to get some fresh air, promising simply to return him in one piece. What he didn’t mention was the reason for the outing: they were off to buy a Father’s Day gift. A small gesture on the surface, but one that meant the world to the Gathercole family during a time of unimaginable hardship.

There wasn’t a dry eye in the room. These stories, raw, real, and deeply moving, inspired guests to lean into the many opportunities throughout the night to make a difference. Whether it was bidding in the live or silent auctions, purchasing raffle tickets, or finding the perfect sparkle in our ring raffle, every little act of generosity helped shine a light on the true heart of Diamonds.

It was the perfect night to honour the silver legacy of Diamonds – 25 years of sparkle, strength, and unwavering support. And none of it would be possible without the incredible ensemble of people and organisations who bring this event to life year after year.

To our incredible Women for Challenge committee, thank you for going above and beyond to bring this night to life. To our generous sponsors, your belief in our mission makes everything possible. A heartfelt thanks in particular to our major sponsor, Bed Bath N’ Table, and to Sol’s Diamonds, whose continued support helps make this event as curated and sparkly as ever. To our tireless volunteers who take on the less glamorous jobs with grace, we see you and we thank you. And to every guest who showed up to support the cause, we are so grateful – you are all shining stars.