Coinciding with the launch of our You Can campaign, Sony Foundation partnered with some of our football friends to raise awareness of this important youth cancer initiative.

Following Sydney FC’s generous offer allowing Sony Foundation to be the charity partner for their blockbuster match against Melbourne Victory, 25,000 fans and Sony Foundation friends turned out to enjoy an entertaining spectacle, as Sydney defeated Melbourne 2-0 to earn the A-League minor premiership.

The team’s supporters were the first to kick start the collection of mobile phones as Sydney FC player Shannon Cole joined forces with 2009 Australian Idol winner Stan Walker at the Sydney Football Stadium to help spread the word about the new Sony Foundation Australia campaign. “You can recycle and help raise awareness for the fight against cancer at the same time,” Cole said.

Walker met Cole, who recently won the A-League idol singing competition on FOX Sports with his rendition of ‘What About Me?’ and gave the defender a stack of handy hints to help his budding singing career whilst they promoted the cause. Brisbane locals and travelling supporters also donated when Suncorp Stadium hosted the Socceroos final Asian Cup Qualifer against Indonesia on March 3. With Captain Lucas Neill already an active ambassador for the Foundation, the team’s biggest fans enthusiastically threw their support behind a cause which touches so many young Australians.

By taking part, each Sydney FC fan not only contributed to the development of youth cancer centres. Thanks to Sony Ericsson, all donators went into the draw to win the ultimate football fantasy – a trip for two to watch the Socceroos take on Germany at the 2010 FIFA World CupTM. Now that’s a winning formula!

On 29 October, 2009 Sony Foundation Australia used a star-studded event to begin a major fundraising drive to build specialised wards for teenage and young adult cancer sufferers. The one-off event, Wharf4Ward, took over the full line-up of restaurants at Sydney’s Woolloomooloo Wharf and raised $300,000 for the cause.

Guests enjoyed a sparkling Chandon reception followed by lunch at some of Sydney’s most acclaimed restaurants. Entertainment was provided by Sony Music artists, including chart topper Guy Sebastian with “Like it Like That”, seven time ARIA nominee Jessica Mauboy, Packed to the Rafters star Hugh Sheridan and platinum selling artist David Campbell. Australian Idol’s top five arrived at the Wharf by boat in dramatic style to perform Rihanna’s hit single “Umbrella” for the crowd. Other noted guests attending the event included Tom Williams, Lee Furlong, Lizzy Lovette, Mia Freedman, Fuzzy Agolley, George Houvardas and Matthew Mitcham. It was hosted by Channel 9’s Ben Fordham. The party continued into the evening at the Russian Standard Vodka after party at Blue Sydney Hotel.

Dr Louise Messara, Executive Director, Sony Foundation, said “One in 100 Australians is diagnosed with cancer before the age of 30 and in the last 25 years there has been virtually no improvement in survival outcomes for the 15 to 30 age group. Wharf4Ward was a truly encouraging start to our fundraising efforts, and a positive beginning to our first public call-out to help those suffering. Australia’s teenagers and young adults deserve specialised care, in an age appropriate environment and we will be working with charity partner CanTeen, to establish teenage and young adult cancer services right around Australia. This campaign is reflective of Sony Foundation’s commitment to bettering the lives of Australian youth.”

With cancer the leading cause of disease-related death amongst Australia’s teenagers, there is an obvious and urgent need for action. Working together with CanTeen, The Australian Organisation for Young People Living with Cancer, Sony Foundation’s long term aim is to fund the establishment of teen and young adult cancer wards throughout the country. These wards will address the lack of improvement in cancer survival for this age group, by providing a focus for collaboration amongst medical professionals, facilitating the development of clinical trials, encouraging specialist training and allowing for the delivery of a psychosocial support service equipped to deal with the issues specific to this age group.

Through the Youth Cancer Networks Program, the Australian Federal Government has already committed $15 million to improve services, support and care for adolescents and young adults (aged 15 years to 24 years) with cancer.

CanTeen is managing the Youth Cancer Networks Program and is responsible for overseeing the development and implementation of projects, to achieve the Program aims. In addition, CanTeen intends to raise a further $15 million in community support, for other projects and services with the same aim. Sony Foundation is proud to support its long time charity partner CanTeen in this undertaking. Wharf 4Ward will act as Sony Foundation’s major fundraising vehicle for this project in 2009.

Wharf4Ward featured a Live Auction with a host of highly coveted items going under the hammer. A highlight item was the Sony Socceroo experience including a meet and greet with superstars, and Sony Foundation Ambassadors, Lucas Neill and Tim Cahill, plus a swag of official signed jerseys and tickets to the Socceroos final home match before their 2010 World Cup departure. Equally desirable was the Woolloomooloo Wharf Gold Pass, allowing six people to enjoy a three-course meal at each of the six acclaimed Wharf restaurants.

On Thursday 3 September 2009, the Classic Wallabies Golf Day was held at the magnificent Links Hope Island Golf Course on the Gold Coast. Sony Foundation Children’s Holiday Camp Program was the main beneficiary of the event. Established by Sony Foundation Governor David Fordham, the golf day featured teams from the Sony group of companies, Media Merchants, Toll Ipec, Crest and Fordham Media Services amongst others. Each team was led onto the course by a former Wallaby, making the day a memorable and unique opportunity for rugby fans. Classic Wallabies taking part included Pat Howard, Andrew Slack, Garrick Morgan and Brendan Nasser, whilst former Springbok Gerald Bosch and All Blacks Jock Hobbs, Grant Batty and John Boe also participated.

Following the golf, guests were introduced to a teenage companion from Anglican Church Grammar, who shared his experience of caring for a special needs child, for 24 hours a day, during a Sony Foundation Children’s Holiday Camp. His story illustrated the far reaching effects these camps have on all those who are involved. But by far the highlight of the evening was 13 year old Patrick Greishaber, one of the campers from Anglican Church Grammar, who was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy at birth. Patrick spoke about his camp experience with great affection and stunned the crowd with an amazing rendition of Sony Music artist Shannol Noll’s hit, ‘What About Me’.

The winning team on the day was Ezgo, featuring former Springbok Gerard Bosch with Nico Schutte, Gavin Kirkman and Jim Abrahams. Dick Marks was crowned the Wallaby player of the tournament and was awarded the Roy Prosser Memorial trophy.

Throughout 2009, the Peppermint Group generously featured the Sony Foundation, as its charity partner, at High Tea Parties along the east coast of Australia.

The Parties, held in Melbourne, Brisbane and Sydney, were a celebration of femininity with decadent delights, fashion seminars, beauty pampering, lingerie fittings and “Portobello Road” shopping markets. Guests learnt more about the Foundation by participating in an experience area and many women pledged their support by becoming “Friends of the Foundation”, or signing up as regular donors.

The fabulous staff from Sony Australia and Sony Computer Entertainment ensured the event had a signature Sony feel, and their photographic skills allowed guests to walk away with a memento of the day.

Funds raised at all three events will support the Sony Foundation Children’s Holiday Camp program.

On Friday 26 June 2009, over 200 AFL enthusiasts descended on the Crown Entertainment Complex in Melbourne for Sony Foundation’s second AFL: It’s a Serious Business lunch.

The event was kicked off with a cheque presentation of monies raised from the Sony Music special compilation CD, Bushfire Aid: Artists for the Bushfire Appeal. Denis Handlin AM, Sony Foundation Governor and CEO & Chairman of Sony Music Entertainment, presented Colonel Raymond Finger, Chief Secretary of Australian Southern Territory Salvation Army, with a whopping $1.6 million cheque. All funds helped support the families worst affected by the devastating Victorian Bushfires.

The highlight of the day, for AFL fans, was the panel discussion hosted by Hamish McLachlan from the Seven Network’s AFL Game Day. The panel was made up of some of the sport’s most prominent business brains and journalists including Andrew Demetriou, CEO of the AFL; Eddie McGuire AM, President of the Collingwood Football Club, David Smorgon OAM, President of the Western Bulldogs, and Chief Football Writers, Mike Sheahan from the Herald Sun and Caroline Wilson from The Age. The discussion covered the game’s most topical issues and at times got quite heated!

A huge thank you must go to the colourful panellists who kept things interesting and also to Sony Music artist and winner of Australia’s Got Talent, Mark Vincent, who at just 15, astounded guests with his extraordinary voice.

It was a great effort by all with over $65,000 raised for important national youth programs including the Sony Foundation Children’s Holiday Camps and CanTeen’s Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Service. To view images from this event, please see our photo gallery.

Sobering images of Victoria and Queensland being devastated by bushfire and flood in early 2009 were broadcast around the globe, as Australia experienced one of its worst natural disasters in history.

Among the first to galvanise and pledge their financial support were the Sony Group of Companies. In the days following the first wave of generous cash pledges from the Sony companies and their staff, Sony Foundation received a phone call from Socceroo stars Lucas Neill, Tim Cahill and Mark Schwarzer. The players, although far from home, were feeling the effects of these extraordinary events.

Sony Foundation was delighted to assist when the three English Premier League footballers suggested they hold a benefit dinner in Sydney for the fire and flood victims. Lucas noted at the time, “Despite living overseas, the issues back home have hit us hard and we all want to do something to help.”

In less than two weeks, a remarkable group of Australia’s prominent sporting, entertainment and business identities including Alan Jones AM, Ian Thorpe OAM, Brett Lee, John Eales AM, Grant Hackett OAM and the entire Socceroos team came together, at Star City’s prestigious Astral Restaurant, to raise over $200,000. Acting Prime Minister The Hon. Julia Gillard MP and NSW Premier Nathan Rees spoke about the tragic events, and the audience responded whole-heartedly as they challenged each other during a lively auction.

Covetable items, donated by the likes of David Beckham, Mark Webber and Hugh Jackman, went under the hammer and all fetched high prices. “The desire to help was overwhelming from everyone we asked, both in Australia and overseas. People were willing to give us some of their most prized possessions”, Tim recounted.

The serious nature of the event was matched by stirring performances from Sony Music stars Katie Noonan and Wes Carr, as well as 15 year old Angel Tupai, a Sony Foundation scholarship winner from the Talent Development Project.

The event complemented Sony Music’s massive fundraising initiative Bushfire Aid: Artists For The Bushfire Appeal CD, and proved that anything can be achieved when we are backed by our loyal donors, corporate partners, Sony Group of Companies and friends. To view images from this event, please see our photo gallery.

Sydney provided perfect autumn weather for the 9th annual Sony Foundation Golf Challenge held at the exclusive Terry Hills Golf and Country Club.

Over $50,000 was raised for the ‘forgotten generation’- teenagers and young adults with cancer. CanTeen spokesperson, 20 year old Bianca Leigh, spoke to the teams about her experience of living with cancer and was also on hand to witness the generosity of the assembled teams as they tested their accuracy at “Bianca’s hole”, it turns out it’s never easy chipping into a boat!

Special guest, Human’s Nature’s Phil Burton, added some celebrity spice and the Foundation’s long time supporters Bing Lee, Delonghi, Network Ten and Post Logistics all took part. However, it was Team Narta’s Michael Jackson, Phil Moujaes, Jeremy Senior and David Hargraves who brought home the gold, rewarded for their effort with prizes from the Sony Group of Companies and other key Foundation partners.

February saw Sony Foundation Board Members, supporters and staff dress up and head to the track for Arrowfield Stud Blue Diamond Stakes Day at Caulfield Racecourse. Silver Sponsor, Arrowfield Stud, nominated Sony Foundation as its Charity Partner for the day, providing the Foundation with significant profile raising opportunities.

Melbourne Racing Club generously donated naming rights to Race 2, the “Sony Foundation Handicap” and event broadcasters and Rainbow Partner Channel Nine, also came to the party giving extensive airtime to our Bushfire Aid CD advertisement, as well interviewing Sony Foundation representatives Giaan Rooney and Richmond Football Club Captain, Chris Newman. A highlight of the day was Sony music artist and seven-time ARIA nominee Jessica Mauboy’s stirring rendition of the national anthem, which was televised nationwide on the free-to-air network.

Our first encounter with the Australian Thoroughbred Racing Community was tremendously successful and further strengthened the Foundation’s links in Victoria. Sony Foundation looks forward to next year’s Autumn Carnival and we thank all the parties who kindly provided us with this fantastic opportunity.

Sony Foundation celebrated a decade of dedication, in true Sony style, at the True Colours Ball held on 11 October, 2008.

Raising funds for the Foundation’s Children’s Holiday Camps, 570 guests kicked up their heels at the Australian Jockey Club, Randwick, enjoying a stellar line up of musical acts including Human Nature, Katie Noonan, Jessica Mauboy, Amy Pearson and Shannon Noll.

The Foundation’s Governors, long time supporters and generous corporate partners were joined by special guests the Honourable Peter Garrett and Mr Nobuhito Hobo, Consul-General of Japan. Celebrities including Samantha Armytage, Kirrily Johnston, Mike Hammond, Harry M Miller, Leila McKinnon and David Gyngell adding to the evenings glamour. As did Channel Seven’s Andrew O’Keefe who acted as MC. O’Keefe shared his hosting duties with an impressive list of guest presenters including Kerri-Anne Kennerley, James Tobin, Samantha Wills, Matt Welsh, Tim Webster and Lizzy Lovette.

Human Nature set the party mood with the Beatles classic, ‘Got To Get You Into My Life’, while Carl Rose, Sony Foundation Governor and 2008 Spokesperson, welcomed guests on the big screen surrounded by kids and campers from the Marist College Ashgrove Children’s Holiday Camp.

In keeping with the anniversary theme, celebrity presenters took a retrospective look at the highlights of the last ten years featuring the news and events which made headlines around the world, songs and movies of each era, along with the achievements of Sony Foundation during the last decade.

Outstanding performances included Katie Noonan’s beautiful rendition of John Farnham’s ‘Burn For You’. Jessica Mauboy brought the room alive with Destiny Child’s ‘Independent Woman’, complete with dance troupe, whilst Shannon Noll and Amy Pearson sang the power duet ‘Don’t Give Up’. This incredible program of entertainment culminated in a group performance of the Australian Classic ‘You’re the Voice’, bringing the whole room to the dance floor.

Richard Wilkins narrated a moving presentation on the Children’s Holiday Camps, demonstrating how they have flourished with the support of Sony Foundation. Special birthday messages from international and local musicians Kelly Rowland, Newton Faulkner, Pete Murray and Jordin Sparks were broadcast with artists congratulating the Foundation on reaching the ten year milestone.

The highlight of the evening was an inspirational video package documenting a music therapy session between Old Man River frontman, Ohad, three Sony Foundation scholarship program graduates and three children from the Camp program. Guests witnessed the magic of music therapy as they watched the group practicing Old Man River’s ballad ‘Better Place’.

As the package drew to a close, everyone was astonished to find Ohad on stage performing the song with the children and graduate trio. Backed by the Knox Grammar School Choir, the moving piece brought the room to their feet in a standing ovation.

Sony Foundation thanks everyone involved in what was an extremely successful night - $250,000 was raised from fundraising on the night alone. These funds helped expand the Children’s Holiday Camp program during 2009, allowing more students, children and their families the opportunity to experience this wonderful initiative.

To view images from this event, please see our photo gallery.