As we come to the end of another busy year, we would like to take a moment to reflect on the incredible connections and impact that we’ve made together.

We are very proud to share with you that the impact of your generosity in the financial year to June 2025 enabled us to provide $558,708 in support of 17 projects - 12 in Ireland and 5 here in Australia. Some of these projects include No Mind Left Behind, providing promising young women with life changing scholarships; Trinity St. James’s Cancer Research Institute, helping accelerate scientific discovery to patient treatments; 174 Trust, building peace and promoting reconciliation in North Belfast; and the three Irish Support Agencies here in Australia – to name just a few.

We are incredibly grateful to our donors and supporters. It is because of you that we are able to support the vital projects we do and ensure the continued work of these outstanding organisations. We are also very thankful for our amazing voluntary Board of Directors and Young Leader Committee. None of this work would exist without you. THANK YOU!

The events we hold throughout the year are not only vital to our fundraising efforts, but also allow us to come together and connect with one another, safe in the knowledge we are doing something good - giving back to those in need!

Some of the highlights include our Women In Leadership & Philanthropy Lunch in March where we hosted Beverley McGarvey, President of Network 10 & Head of Streaming Paramount ANZ, in celebration of St Brigid's Day and International Women's Day. Only in its second year, we are very proud to announce that the WIL&P Initiative has raised over $150,000 to date from our events and 100 Club.

We were thrilled to be named Charity Partner for Irish Superstar Dermot Kennedy's inaugural Misneach Festival celebrating St Patrick's Day. May saw us host our Melbourne Race Day at Caulfield Racecourse where we were joined by special guests Sean Keogh, Stud Manager from Coolmore and Irish AFL legend Zach Tuohy. We also had impromptu appearances from Jockeys Declan Bates and John Allen which certainly added to the fun!

Our Brisbane Lunch in August coincided with the British & Irish Lions Tour of Australia where we had the chance to speak with Henry Speight, former Wallabies centre and Ulster player, and Irish man Eoin Toolan, Assistant Coach for the Wallabies.

We enjoyed a Black Tie Gala Dinner at the Art Gallery of NSW in November emceed by Tristan MacManus. Guests came together amidst the beautiful artwork before enjoying a delicious 3-course meal designed by acclaimed chef Matt Moran, Guinness, Irish Coffees and fabulous entertainment by the Vixen Strings and Baker Boys Band.

In Australia, our Young Leader Committee is one of the most vibrant worldwide, which is so important to ensuring the longevity of the work of the Ireland Funds, and their network continues to grow and do great things in our community.

We started the year with their annual Kick Off Drinks at the iconic Sydney Opera Bar, connecting with new friends as well as our seasoned supporters.

In June we hosted our Corporate Breakfast on the topic of mentorship and held our Global 5k in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane in September which saw more than 250 runners attend and raised over $22,000 in profit.

On behalf of our Chair Yvonne Le Bas, our Board of Directors, Young Leaders and myself, I sincerely thank you for your continued support and wish you a very Merry Christmas and festive season. We look forward to connecting with you again in the New Year and creating opportunities for us to continue to come together, to raise funds and to support those that need us most across the island of Ireland and here in Australia.