The City of Canning Camco Engineering Mayor’s Charity Gala Dinner, held earlier this month at the Riverton Library, has raised an impressive $85,291 for local charity Good Sammy Enterprises.
This year’s biennial event was a sell-out, with over 300 attendees, coming together to raise funds through ticket sales, raffles, and auction items to support Good Sammy in helping people with disabilities find meaningful employment opportunities.
The money raised from the dinner will enable Good Sammy to introduce traineeships for high-school students with disabilities at local Canning schools, including Leeming Senior High School Education Support Centre, Castlereagh School, and Cannington Education Support Centre.
These traineeships will be available in various industries, including retail, hospitality, business administration, and supply chain operations.
City of Canning Mayor Patrick Hall said he was thrilled with the outcome of the charity dinner and described it as a great success.
“As the only local government in WA to hold a civic gala event, with an entirely charitable purpose, I’m extremely proud to deliver such an amazing outcome for Good Sammy,” Mayor Hall said.
“This heart-warming event helps raise awareness of the hurdles people with disability face in our community every day and provides us with an opportunity to make a difference to their lives. No matter how big or small, we can all make a difference,”
Guests at the black-tie event were treated to a three-course dinner and enjoyed entertainment from Perth’s own six-piece band, Switch, and comedian Peter Rowsthorn, with Tim Gossage serving as the master of ceremonies.
The live auctions proved to be a highlight of the night, featuring exclusive sports dining packages and luxurious getaways generously donated by local businesses.
One particularly generous bidder paid $7,000 for a private dining experience with Fremantle Dockers legend Matthew Pavlich.
A dinner with former West Coast Eagles head coach Adam Simpson, who was present at the event, also proved to be popular.
The $85,291 raised will also be used to support a 12-month on-demand donation collection service for Canning locals, which began on November 14 in partnership with the City of Canning and Good Sammy, to help residents divert items from landfill.
CEO Kane Blackman of Good Sammy said he was grateful for the partnership with the City of Canning.
“Good Sammy is incredibly grateful for the opportunity to partner with the City of Canning to drive local outcomes. These programs will directly benefit individuals in our community, and we are proud to be part of this important initiative,” Mr Blackman said.
Founded in 1958, Good Sammy provides employment services for people with disabilities and operates 26 op shops and other social enterprises across the state.
Its administration and recycling centre has been based in Canning Vale for several years.
