Museum of Old and New Art Charity Gala raises $1.2 million

MONA Charity Gala Raises $1.2 Million for Local Causes

HOBART — Against the crisp midwinter air and under a clear night sky, Tasmania’s philanthropic and cultural elite converged last night at the Museum of Old and New Art (MONA) for its seventh annual Charity Gala, an evening that has become the undisputed highlight of the state’s social calendar.

The event, hosted by the charismatic Sergeant Charlie Claiborne of the Hobart Police Department, exceeded all expectations, raising a record $1.2 million for a trio of local and national charities: Hobart City Mission, the Australian Red Cross, and CanTeen Tasmania.

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An Evening of Style and Purpose

Guests arrived to the museum’s subterranean entrance, lit by a procession of silver lanterns that led into a reception hall transformed into a winter wonderland. Walls were draped in sheer silks, illuminated in icy blue light, while tables brimmed with floral centrepieces by renowned local florist Rosie McNamara of Rosie Posie Floral. Silver candelabra, hand-cast by Hobart artisan Anthony Lyall, threw a warm glow across the crowd of more than 200 attendees.

The evening began with champagne and canapés served under James Turrell’s Amarna light installation before guests made their way into MONA’s main gallery space for a five-course dinner designed by Hobart culinary figure Alice Nguyen, working in collaboration with Nourish Catering. The menu featured a balance of Tasmanian produce — Huon Valley salmon, Bruny Island cheese, and Tamar Valley truffles — paired with wines donated by Bridge Estate Winery.

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Notable Guests and Conversations

In attendance alongside senior police officers and business leaders were Hobart Mayor Kevin Woolley, MPs Brian Abbott and Lisa Mitchell, philanthropists Graham and Enid Pennicott, and television personality Carly Dempster.

Among the medical community, Dr Jeanette de Villiers, spokesperson for the Australian Medical Association Tasmania, drew attention in a deep sapphire silk gown by local designer Monique Farrar. De Villiers, known for her frank and sometimes controversial commentary on rural healthcare policy, described the event as “a perfect example of how cultural institutions like MONA can lead from the front when it comes to supporting causes that matter.” She later joined CanTeen Tasmania’s National Fundraising Officer, Gillian Thom, in discussing youth health services over dessert.

“She’s a straight-talker in the media, but here she was relaxed and warm,” Thom said. “It’s a reminder that people who fight hard in policy circles often care deeply at a personal level, too.”

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A Generous Community Spirit

The evening’s live auction, conducted by local auctioneer Patrick Llewellyn, was particularly spirited. Bidding highlights included $42,000 for a private concert in MONA’s Nolan Gallery and $18,500 for a week-long sailing trip around Bruny Island.

Sergeant Claiborne, visibly moved by the outcome, told the Observer that the donations were “beyond generous” and that he “couldn’t be prouder of the Hobart and wider Tasmanian community for standing behind the charities that do such incredible work in our community.”

For CanTeen Tasmania, the funding represents a tangible boost to their mission. “It will provide resources and practical help for our local young people dealing with a cancer diagnosis, treatment or grief,” Thom said. “We’re just so appreciative of the support.”

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A Fixture in the Winter Calendar

What began seven years ago as an experimental fundraiser has now become a fixture in Hobart’s winter season, drawing an eclectic mix of artists, civic leaders, and industry figures into the same room — and into the same shared cause.

This year’s gala, perhaps more than any before, demonstrated the pulling power of MONA not only as an art space but as a catalyst for generosity and civic pride. As the final guests drifted into the night, music from the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra’s String Quartet lingered in the air, a fitting close to an evening where style, community, and purpose aligned.