An Evening in Paris: The 2024 Challenge Ball

The Pullman Melbourne on the Park was transformed into the heart of Paris for our 2024 Challenge Ball. Red, white, and blue shimmered across the room as the sultry notes of a saxophone intertwined with the crisp strumming of a guitar serenaded guests while the energy of the evening continued to build. The atmosphere was warm and intimate, enriched by our dazzling guests, who chatted over half-empty glasses of espresso martinis. It was golden, it was intimate, it was *parfait*.

Our MC, the ever-charming Tom Gleisner, steered the evening with his signature wit and effortless cool. His humour and poise kept the night flowing as smoothly as the music that welcomed us in.

The entertainment was nothing short of extraordinary. Transit Dance wowed the audience with an electrifying Moulin Rouge Can-Can performance, while Velvet Corp had everyone on their feet. Even Tom joined in, hitting the dancefloor arm-in-arm with his former dance instructor, who was also in attendance (how serendipitous!). Once the crowd saw his moves, they couldn’t resist rushing to join him on the floor.

Amidst the festivities, there were moments of deep reflection. CEO David Rogers shared heartfelt insights from the past year, setting the stage for guest speaker Clint Twomey. Clint, father of Paris 2024 Paralympian and Challenge member Liam Twomey, shared his family’s powerful story of overcoming childhood cancer. Liam’s journey – from beating cancer to grappling with the emotional toll of losing his leg in adolescence and turning to drugs as a coping mechanism – was a powerful and eye-opening reminder of the often unspoken challenges of living with cancer and the deep emotional hardships it carries. Yet, in the face of adversity, Liam found the strength to rebuild his life, ultimately choosing a path of happiness, health, and gratitude.

The Twomey family’s story is a profound reminder that life’s challenges aren’t neatly resolved once survival is assured. Cancer leaves lasting scars – trauma that demands to be acknowledged, processed, and healed. But in every passing moment, there is a chance for change and a chance to create the life you deserve. It was truly inspirational.

The night was as enchanting, heartfelt, and romantic as any evening in Paris. We danced, we dined, we laughed, we listened, and we shared moments that were both emotional and uplifting. Above all, we came together to make a difference. We united in support of the children and families in our community living with cancer, both past and present, and raised significant funds in the process. A heartfelt congratulations to everyone involved.

This night wouldn’t have been possible without the incredible dedication of the Challenge Ball Committee – Daniel Galileos, Emma Fitzsimons, Helen Mauerhofer, Vicky Dimopoulos, Travis Fitzsimons, Tina Lennox, and Kylie Coverdale. Your passion and commitment to both this event and our organisation are unmatched. We cannot thank you enough for the time and energy you pour into making this night such a success.

To our generous sponsors, thank you for believing in Challenge and this event. Your unwavering support is vital to our mission, and we are profoundly grateful for your trust and generosity.

And finally, to our amazing volunteers – you are the backbone of this organisation. We simply couldn’t do what we do without you. Thank you for dedicating your time to help us make a difference.

That’s a wrap on the 2024 Challenge Ball! We hope everyone had an unforgettable evening, and we can’t wait to see you again next year!