Australian media industry figures took their competitive natures to the golf course at the Starlight Children’s Foundation 2021 Entertainment Industry Golf Day.
The day was held at the Boonie Doon Golf Course in southern Sydney in December.
The event, in its 24th year, was the first face-to-face event Starlight has been able to hold since lockdown. Representatives from Foxtel, Kayo, Seven, Nine, Village Roadshow, Stan and Netflix dusted off their irons and headed to the greens to showcase their golfing prowess.
The day featured a full round of golf, as well as a Raffle and Silent Auction. Together, a whopping $180,000 was raised to help Starlight to provide a positive distraction for seriously ill and hospitalised kids, teens, and their families.
Since 1988, Starlight has partnered with Australian health professionals to develop programs based on positive psychology principles which supports the ‘total care’ of children and teens.
Starlight uses play, creativity, and social connection to support children and young people through some of their toughest times to positively change their health care experience.
Over the years, the Entertainment Industry Golf Day has raised over 2.1 million dollars which has given over 54 000 hospitalised children to access to Captain Starlight and the Starlight Express Room, creating a more positive experience for sick kids and their families.
Louise Baxter, Starlight Children’s Foundation CEO said: “This past year has given us all personal experience of uncertainty, social isolation, and disruption.
“For children and families managing a serious illness, this is something they face every day and has only been exacerbated by the challenging situation.
“During this time there have been no less sick kids. This is why, despite changes in healthcare and restrictions impacting Starlight programs, we continue to work in partnership with health professionals to reach as many sick kids as possible”
“Starlight relies on the generosity of individuals, organisations and community groups – and we are so delighted to have media industry leaders support us at the Entertainment Golf Day.”
Mark Frain, Foxtel Media CEO and Chair of the Starlight Entertainment Golf Day Committee, said: “Media in Australia is a pretty “gloves off” industry, so it’s fantastic to see a number of broadcast and streaming rivals come together to support such a fantastic cause.
“We are all familiar with how our lives have been impacted over the past two years however as we start to edge closer to our new normal we must not forget that It has been especially difficult for families already dealing with serious illness and hospital.”
“As an industry, it’s great to be able to do our bit to help ease the stress, it is one of the most impactful things we can when we leverage our relationships for incredible outcomes.”
