Brainwave Australia gala raises more than $206,000 for families

Brainwave Australia marked its 30th anniversary with a sold-out Great Gatsby Gala at the National Gallery of Victoria, raising more than $206,000 for children with brain conditions and their families. The result was the charity’s strongest gala total since 2018 and was boosted by five years of pro bono support from Peanut Productions.

Why it matters: - The gala delivered Brainwave Australia’s strongest fundraising night in years, lifting support for children with complex neurological disorders and brain injuries. - The money will flow into national programs that help families with equipment, therapy funding, hospital support, information and peer connection. - Brainwave Australia is the only national charity in Australia dedicated to families affected by childhood brain conditions.

What happened: - Brainwave Australia celebrated its 30th anniversary with a sold-out Great Gatsby Gala at the National Gallery of Victoria in Melbourne. - The event raised more than $206,000 from more than 300 guests. - The total came from live and silent auctions, ticket sales, pledges and donations on the night. - The result was Brainwave’s strongest gala total since 2018 and more than double a five-year high of about $111,000.

The details: - Peanut Productions delivered five consecutive years of pro bono creative production, event design, video production, videography and technical delivery for Brainwave’s flagship fundraiser. - The five-year support package has represented more than $100,000 in pro bono value. - Peanut Productions worked with Brainwave’s leadership team to grow the annual gala into the charity’s largest single fundraising event in recent years. - The 30th anniversary gala featured a 1920s Gatsby theme at NGV beneath Gandel Hall’s Leonard French stained-glass ceiling. - Guests arrived on a red carpet at the NGV water wall with live jazz and a custom AI photo booth. - The program included a 30-year retrospective video and the sold-out “Light Up the Night” activation. - Tim Campbell performed on the night. - Partners included Mercedes-Benz Australia, Penfolds, Coopers Brewery, Rob Dolan Wines, IVE Group and DPM Financial Services. - Nine’s Stephanie Anderson served as MC. - Shawn Cosgrove was the auctioneer. - Comedian Anthony Lehmann also appeared. - The live auction drove most of the fundraising total. - Peanut Productions Founder & Creative Director Michael Mastrodimos opened the auction with a $10,000 pledge.

Between the lines: - The scale of the gala suggests Brainwave has built a durable donor community that can translate milestone moments into major fundraising gains. - Peanut Productions’ multi-year pro bono role gave the event both creative polish and fundraising momentum, reducing costs while amplifying the charity’s reach. - The mix of sponsorship, entertainment and family storytelling helped position the gala as both a fundraising event and a visibility campaign for Brainwave’s mission. - Brainwave Director of Fundraising, Marketing and Communications Kristin Flanagan said the night reflected the strength of the Brainwave community and the generosity of its supporters. - Michael Mastrodimos said the partnership had evolved over five years and that every dollar helps Brainwave support more families. - Flanagan also thanked the Roberts family for sharing their experience with guests.

What’s next: - Brainwave Australia will direct the gala proceeds into its ongoing national support programs for families facing childhood brain conditions. - The charity is likely to continue using its flagship gala as a major annual fundraising platform. - Interested supporters can find more information at Brainwave Australia. - More about the production partner is available at Peanut Productions.