2020 Belgravia Foundation Inspiration Breakfast
The 2020 Belgravia Foundation Inspiration Breakfast was a major success, attracting 248 people for a 7.00am start at Zinc Federation Square on a wonderful mid-February morning. Guests were welcomed on arrival with a keep cup and coffee, sponsored by Sprout Coffee and when well caffeinated moved into a stunningly decorated venue overlooking the tranquil Yarra River.
MC, Olympic Gold Medallist and Belgravia Foundation Board Member Brooke Hanson managed the event, chaperoning the attendees through speeches and fundraising activities. Host of the event, Mrs Nanette Lord, welcomed all and challenged each to do in their power to ensure no one misses out on participation in leisure, sport, aquatics and fitness experiences.
Board Member and Chair, Alex Lord spoke with passion about his personal commitment to ensure ‘… no one misses out’ on the wonderful experiences that can be had through participation in leisure, sport, aquatics and fitness activities.
The audience learned, from CEO Jeff Walkley, about the All In! project that is creating an innovative and accessible approach to train swim school teachers toward improved confidence and capacity to be inclusive of people with a disability and people of CALD backgrounds.
Highlighting the event was the stories told by guest speakers. Emma Withers, who with three children each living with a disability, described how important support from Kilsyth Centenary Pool has been toward helping her children to learn important swimming skills and be safer around water. Evan Strahan and Denise (Mum), spoke about the wonderful support Evan had received from Kilsyth Centenary Pool through which he undertook work experience and training, culminating in paid work, which has resulted in an elevated sense of self and family pride, accomplishment and growing independence. Paralympian Tim Hodge rounded out the set of excellent speakers with tales of his journey from young amputee to the international stage, with each step of the journey being aided by welcoming, supportive and inclusive swim coaches and aquatic centre staff.
The breakfast was a major success on multiple fronts, raising $46,069.92 and creating new supporters for the work of the Belgravia Foundation from among key leisure, sport, aquatic and fitness leaders. Feedback from those in attendance was full of praise, and some excellent suggestions for how to make next year’s event even better. Such success is hard to achieve and major contributions from sponsors and donors helped immeasurably. A sincere thank-you goes to our major contributors Cleaning Melbourne ($6,000), ASTA Solutions ($6,000), Para Mobility ($5,000), Unilever Australia ($5,000), Complete Office Supplies ($5,000) and BOC ($3,000).
