WITH LESS than one month to go until ‘Team Whitsundays Dancing CEOs’ hit the stage at Brisbane City Hall, there are still three ways to support them in their quest to raise money for Women’s Legal Service Queensland (WLSQ) and break the cycle of domestic violence.
You can ‘Plate up for DV’, enter a Luxe Superyacht Raffle or simply donate to ‘Team Whitsundays Dancing CEOs’ online.
All will be helping Dancing CEOs’ Kate Purdie (Coral Sea Marina), Julie Telford (SeaLink Whitsundays), Candice Crossley (Whitsunday Transit) and Alice Harriott (Whitsunday Family Dental) in their quest.
‘Plate up for DV’ in an initiative by team mentor and WLSQ Ambassador, Katelyn Aslett-Collins.
“Whether it’s a backyard barbecue, a picnic in the park, or a dinner with family and friends, participants can serve up not only delicious food but also support vulnerable women and the children in their care,” Ms Aslett-Collins said.
“Plate up for DV, from now until the end of May, and you’ll literally be helping to save lives – every little bit goes a long way towards improving outcomes for the women and children in our communities who are impacted by domestic violence.”
Taking part is as easy as heading to www.mygivingtable.com.au, selecting ‘Team Whitsundays Dancing CEOs’, registering the date for your feast, the number of people you’d like to invite and nominating how much you wish them to pay.
My Giving Table will then create an event link to share with family and friends, as well as tracking ticket sales and RSVPs, taking payment from your guests, paying the chosen charity (WLSQ), and providing you with a tax donation receipt.
“We take care of the compliance and the comm’s, and you just create a lovely event full of great memories with your guests,” Ms Aslett-Collins said.
“Best of all, you don’t even have to cook, if you don’t want to, thanks to our friends at Fish D’Vine, who will deliver from their brand-new provisioning menu direct to your door.”
Fish D’Vine Co-owner Kevin Collins said, while it was originally designed for the bareboat charter industry, his catering company’s newest offering – including dishes his restaurant became famous for – was perfect for an application like this.
“This is not a version of ‘Hello Fresh’, it’s a chef sitting on your shoulder while you shine in the galley – or in this case the kitchen – and make the food as spectacular as the Whitsundays,” he said.
“The price is right, the food is wonderful, and the simplicity for you and your guests is what it’s all about.”
For anyone still too busy to be a host but wanting to fundraise, there are also options to donate directly to the ‘Team Whitsundays Dancing CEOs’ campaign, via https://www.dancingceos.com.au/kate-purdie-julie-telford-candice-crossley-dr-alice-harriott, or buy tickets to the Whitsundays ‘Luxe Raffle’.
The prize for six guests includes business class return flights from Brisbane, accommodation at The Cove, tickets to attend the iconic White on Whitehaven Long Lunch by Fish D’Vine, transfers to and from the event on a private superyacht, and an amazing dining experience in a Cabana at the Coral Sea Resort, Airlie Beach.
Tickets cost just $25 and are available via https://www.raffletix.com.au/kate-julie-candice-alice.
Started by Ms Aslett-Collins when she was one of WLSQ’s Dancing CEOs herself, this is the eighth year the ‘Luxe Raffle’ has run and the fifth in which the prize has involved a Whitsundays experience, culminating in the White on Whitehaven Long Lunch.
“This year is the best yet, thanks to the support of sponsors like the Coral Sea Marina Resort’s Paul Darrouzet, Whitsunday Transit’s Darren and Candice Crossley and, of course, Fish D’Vine, who have donated to the prize each year,” Ms Aslett-Collins said.
“Surely there is nothing finer than experiencing the Whitsundays by superyacht and enjoying lunch on the best beach in the world,” she said.
“Over the years, this Luxe Raffle has raised more than $350,000 for WLSQ and, collectively, between all the current Dancing CEOs, the target is to raise $410,000, in 2025.
“We are still not there yet but, thanks to these initiatives, you can help us reach that goal, and most importantly make a life-changing contribution to women and children in need, while doing so.”
For more information, and to stay up-to-date with their progress, follow the ‘Team Whitsundays Dancing CEOs’ Facebook Page.
- Dancing CEOs is WLSQ’s flagship fundraising initiative, through which 19 CEO’s and business leaders – including ‘Team Whitsundays’ – will compete in a dance contest on May 31, 2025, at Brisbane City Hall.
- In the 2023 Financial Year, the WLSQ Statewide Helpline answered 16,000 calls from women impacted by domestic violence, 75 per cent of whom had children in their care. In 2024 that number had increased by 28 per cent.
- All 2025 Dancing CEOs teams and individuals have a fundraising target of $41,000 for 41 years of WLSQ, with a total target of $410,000.
- Useful contacts to include in articles are: 1800 WLS WLS (1800 957 957) the statewide helpline for legal advice, and 1800 457 117 for the Rural, Regional and Remote Legal Advice Line.
- Other support numbers that can be included in media coverage are DV Connect: 1800 811 811, and 1800 RESPECT: 1800 737 732.
