What an incredible evening under the Jacaranda trees!
On Saturday 16 May, more than 600 guests came together for the Jacaranda Gala as we celebrated 40 years of The Prince Charles Hospital Foundation.
It was a truly unforgettable night of connection, generosity and community, with more than $230,000 raised to support remarkable research, exceptional equipment and compassionate patient care initiatives at The Prince Charles Hospital and Caboolture Hospital.
We were honoured to hear from Her Excellency the Honourable Dr Jeannette Young AC PSM, Governor of Queensland, Professor Dan Chambers, Professor John F Fraser AO, Sharon Hoole and Rhys Hoole, alongside our wonderful MCs Craig Zonca and Loretta Ryan.
Thank you to our incredible sponsors, partners, volunteers and every guest who helped make this once-in-40-years milestone event so very special!
Relive the magic of the evening
Jacaranda Gala Photo Gallery
We’re delighted to share the Jacaranda Gala official photo gallery.
Relive the atmosphere of a truly special evening. From guests arriving and pausing for photos at the media wall, to keynote speakers and powerful patient stories, the gallery captures an evening filled with connection, generosity and community under the Jacaranda trees.
Take a closer look inside the Gala as the auctions and raffles came alive, the iconic strawberry sundaes made a brief guest appearance, and the dancefloor filled with guests celebrating 40 years of this incredible community.
Thank you to everyone who joined us.
With special thanks to our amazing friends at Red Stockholm for capturing every moment.
Your impact on the night
Thanks to your generosity, more than $230,000 was raised to support remarkable research, exceptional equipment and compassionate patient care initiatives across The Prince Charles Hospital and Caboolture Hospital.
If you didn’t get a chance to show your support on the night, there is still time to be part of the impact. Your donation can help the Foundation to make the treatments of tomorrow, possible today.
Congratulations to the lucky winner!
With thanks to McKinney’s Jewellers the stunning Australian South Sea Pearl bracelet has a proud new home, and the raffle raised over $29,000 on the night.
Gala auction results
Over $49,000 was raised through the live auctions on the night, generating much excitement and friendly competition amongst bidders. A huge thank you to our auctioneer, Mike Wheeler. The silent auction raised a further $18,000 online, and with more than 25+ lots on offer, the bidding was running hot.
Congratulations to all our winners and a huge thank you to everyone who raised a paddle, made a bid online and so generously donated prizes to help make the auctions such a success.
The auction closed at 10:30pm on Saturday, 16 May 2026. All winners have been notified.
With thanks to our wonderful hosts
We were delighted to have Craig Zonca and Loretta Ryan as Masters of Ceremonies for the Jacaranda Gala.
As the familiar voices of ABC Radio Brisbane Breakfast, Craig and Loretta wake up with our city each morning, bringing news, conversation and the best of Brisbane to listeners from 5am.
They have long supported and shared the work of The Prince Charles Hospital Foundation, making them a natural choice to host this special evening.
“Breakfast radio gives you a front-row seat to the stories that shape our community, the challenges people face and the incredible work being done to support them. It’s a privilege for us to be part of an evening that celebrates the people behind that work, and helps make even more possible.”
Gala guest speakers
Professor Dan Chambers
Professor Chambers is one of Australia’s most respected thoracic transplant physicians. He has been named Australia’s top transplant researcher 5 years running and was previously Director of International Lung and Heart-Lung Transplant Registry – the first Australian to hold this position.
Based at The Prince Charles Hospital within the Queensland Lung Transplant Service, he works at the frontline of lung transplantation and advanced lung disease. An internationally recognised clinician-researcher, his work spans lung fibrosis, transplantation, and anti-ageing, translating research into real-world outcomes for patients.
Professor John Fraser AO
Professor John Fraser AO is a world-leading expert in cardiac intensive care, mechanical circulatory support and biomedical engineering. John founded the Critical Care Research Group at The Prince Charles Hospital in 2004.
Innovations include the BiVACOR Total Artificial Heart – co-founded with Dr Daniel Timms; The Living Heart Project – increasing availability of donor hearts; and the ICU of the Future – a reimagining of intensive care environments. Professor Fraser was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia last year for his distinguished service to medicine and global research.
Rhys and Sharon Hoole
Rhys and Sharon Hoole are Community Ambassadors for The Common Good, an initiative of The Prince Charles Hospital Foundation, and share a powerful story of the role research plays in saving lives.
Rhys is a cardiac arrest and ECMO survivor, and the 500th heart transplant recipient at The Prince Charles Hospital. Today, he proudly advocates for the research, patient care and medical innovation that saved his life. For Sharon, this journey is deeply personal. After seeing her son receive a life-saving heart transplant in 2024, she now gives back in support of the care, research and community that made it possible.
On the night, they will join our hosts Craig Zonca and Loretta Ryan for a special conversation.
Entertainment on the night
The evening’s entertainment were carefully curated to make this a truly memorable night.
An elegant opening by
Opera Queensland
Before the doors of the Jacaranda Gala opened, Opera Queensland set the tone during the pre-drinks reception.
Live performance by
Chris Cobb
A four-chair turn on The Voice Australia and a standout at the Tamworth Country Music Festival, Chris Cobb brought a rare combination of raw talent and emotional connection. His blend of country, rock and soaring ballads was a highlight of the evening.
Hit the dance floor with
Baker Boys Band
Baker Boys Band took over the stage to kick off the dance floor, as guests connected with friends, old and new, and made a night of it.
Sunshine and Sons pop up cocktail bar
Espresso Martinis, Jacaranda Mules, Gina Coladas, mocktails and more were enjoyed at the Sunshine & Sons pop-up cocktail bar inside the Grand Ballroom.
360° photobooth
The 360° photobooth was proudly brought to you by Lawson Elliott Recruitment to capture the magic of the Jacaranda Gala.
Our Sponsors
We gratefully acknowledge and thank our event sponsors and partners for their generous support. Their contribution plays a vital role in making this event possible.
Gold
Silver
Bronze
Jacaranda Gala Partners
40 Stories for 40 Years
For 40 years, The Prince Charles Hospital Foundation has supported the people who give their all to patient care – today and for future generations. This collection of 40 stories, released throughout our milestone year, honours the individuals, supporters, and lived experiences that have shaped our history and driven meaningful change in healthcare.
