WINDERMERE Child and Family Services has welcomed a $30,000 donation from the Irvine Club.
The club formed in 2004 to bring together friends in a social environment to share their love of sport.
But it has also been generating funds and exposure for local charities.
More than 400 guests packed the members’ dining room at the MCG last month for the Irvine Club’s annual charity luncheon, with guest speakers Sam Newman and Rex Hunt.
Narre Warren-based Windermere was the charity of choice for the event, following its involvement with the tragic death of Tyabb boy Luke Batty.
Windermere was present to support Luke’s family and the community within hours of the family violence crime.
Luke’s death touched many hearts, including Irvine Club president Cameron Gray and treasurer Gareth Flynn, whose son had played cricket against Luke just a week before his death.
“Family violence affects people all over Australia, it has no prejudices,” Mr Gray said.
“The Irvine Club felt it was important to raise awareness of this issue and help explain how crimes like these could be prevented by an all-community approach.
“We had heard of the wonderful work Windermere does in their local community, and wanted to take the opportunity to give back and make a difference.”
Windermere CEO Lynette Buoy spoke at the lunch about grim family violence statistics and the diverse work Windermere did within the local community to tackle the issue.
“At Windermere we work with 14,000 people a year, predominantly across the Casey, Cardinia and Dandenong shires,” Dr Buoy said.
“We provide a range of services, both government and a number of Windermere preventative initiatives.
“We believe that everybody is somebody in our community, and when community issues are identified or emerge we seek to act.
“Support through events and organisations like the Irvine Club, enable us to do this.”
Windermere has been providing help for people to find well-being for more than 150 years and offers counselling, housing support, disability services, childcare and more.
