– that’s groovy baby

By Melissa Meehan
THE CARDINIA Foundation Annual Charity Ball was a resounding success, with the organisation raising over $80,000 on the night.
It seems the shift from holding the dinner in October to June was a positive one, with over 270 people attending the night of fine food and entertainment.
Cardinia Foundation chairman Brian Paynter said after a couple of quieter years 2010 was a success.
“The most popular item up for grabs was a helicopter flight for four people to Rochford winery which went for $10,000 which really set the mark,” Mr Paynter said.
“It was a great night.”
He said the night’s entertainment, provided by impersonator Mark Andrew, was a hit with everyone getting up for a dance by the end of the evening.
“There was Frank Sinatra, Austin Powers, Elvis and Tom Jones – who had most of the ladies going crazy,” he said.
Mr Paynter said the foundation would now start planning for next year’s dinner, and would most probably hold the night in June again after this year’s success.
“With any shift in plans you’d expect to tread carefully, but we’ve had only positive feedback.”
Another exciting part of the evening was the surprise announcement that the Cardinia Foundation had opened a trust in conjunction with the Lord Mayor’s charitable fund.
The Lord Mayor’s charitable trust donated $100,000 which the Cardinia Foundation had now matched.
Cardinia Foundation spokes-person Michelle Tones said it was an exciting announcement, which meant the foundation could give to the community for generations to come.
“Obviously the trustees will get together and work out who we can donate to each year,” she said.
“We are able to donate 90 per cent of the trust each year, and grow the other 10 per cent for the future. We’re looking forward to working together.”