The Elders Griffith team hosted their second Charity Ball on Saturday 23 August 2025, bringing together clients, staff, and the wider community for an unforgettable evening of generosity, entertainment, and celebration.
Held in Griffith, more than 230 guests attended the black-tie event, which proudly raised $75,000 for Boys to the Bush, a grassroots organisation dedicated to mentoring and supporting young men through hands-on learning and positive community involvement.
The organisation resonates strongly with the Elders Griffith team. Many local farmers and clients have been actively involved in the program by welcoming participants onto their farms.
The fundraising auction proved to be a major highlight of the evening, with enthusiastic bidding on a range of generously donated items. The top-selling lot was a corporate box at Marvel Stadium, valued at over $10,000 and kindly donated by Jerilderie Tyre Services, which drew strong competition from attendees. A signed racing item from Oscar Piastri generated plenty of excitement and sold for an impressive $3,600. Guests also eagerly bid on Catherine Stewart artworks and a Collingwood Football Club jersey, helping to lift the final fundraising total even higher.
The evening would not have been possible without the generous support of the community.
With 28 sponsors contributing to the success of the event, the Elders Griffith team extended heartfelt thanks to all businesses, clients, and suppliers who came on board.
The Elders Griffith Charity Ball has quickly become an anticipated date on the local calendar. Exceeding expectations in both attendance and fundraising, the event has cemented its place as a premier social gathering and opportunity to give back to the community.
Elders General Manager for Victoria & Riverina, Brendan Rinaldi, praised the Griffith team for their efforts.
“To see more than 230 people come together and raise $75,000 is inspiring. This will have a huge impact on Boys to the Bush and the young men they support in the community,” said Mr Rinaldi.
“I’m incredibly proud of the Griffith team for creating such a meaningful event that not only benefits the community but also strengthens our culture at Elders.”
Adding his thanks, Jack Buckingham, Mentor, Program Coordinator and Community Partnerships Manager at Boys to the Bush, highlighted the life-changing impact the donation will have.
“This funding will go directly to supporting boys in our programs across Griffith, Leeton and surrounds,” said Mr Buckingham.
“It will help us run school groups, mentoring and camps, and provide opportunities for young men to engage with agriculture and community at an early age.
“Many of the boys are already on farms, and partnerships like this with Elders give them a real foot in the door for their future careers.
Beyond the financial impact, the generosity shown gives these boys confidence and pride and shows them that people truly care and are behind them.”
Closing the night, Ray Ellis, Elders Griffith Branch Manager, reflected on the success of the event.
“We’re incredibly proud to see the community come together in such a meaningful way,” said Mr Ellis.
“The support for Boys to the Bush shows the impact we can make when staff, clients, and sponsors unite. It was a memorable night, and we’re looking forward to making the next Charity Ball even bigger.”
This years ball follows the success of the first Elders Griffith Charity Ball, held in September 2023. The event raised $64,000 for Angel Flight, an organisation that coordinates non-emergency flights for people in rural areas who may be struggling with poor health. With this year’s donations, the event has now put $139,000 back into Griffith and surrounding communities.