As Brisbane basked in an unseasonably warm winter’s day, the final touches were being added in the Grand Ballroom of Brisbane’s City Hall, ready to welcome more than 500 guests to the fifth annual Ladybird Care Foundation Gala Dinner. The delicate music of the Wattle & Wood Ensemble drifted across King George Square, while friends and supporters gathered to share a cool drink, savour canapés, and enjoy one another’s company before being invited inside. Outside, the imposing Corinthian columns of City Hall glowed in Ladybird-red light, and in the western sky, Venus rose above the fading sunset — a gentle reminder of light after darkness.

As beautifully dressed guests made their way through the magnificent double doors, they were met by Belinda Williams’ haunting viola, filling the vast domed room like a blessing. Overhead, a majestic ladybird gracefully traced its path across the ceiling, while below, flickering candles, delicate florals, warm bread rolls, and sparkling glasses welcomed each person to their table. Laughter, conversation, and a sense of community soon filled the air.
The stage itself was transformed into a flourishing garden, with this year’s theme – Flourish - illuminated above a long table that lovingly held photos of children whose lives ended far too soon.

The Oxford English Dictionary describes “flourish” in many ways — to grow, to thrive, to blossom, to bloom. For every parent, the dream when a child is born is that they will flourish. For that hope to be shattered at any stage of life is an unimaginable sorrow. The Ladybird Care Foundation (LCF) exists to stand beside parents in this sorrow, to offer care, compassion, and community. Over time, LCF has itself blossomed into a flourishing organisation - one built on love, on remembrance, and on the commitment to walk alongside families through the hardest of journeys.

The evening opened with heartfelt words from Olympic champion Brooke Hanson, who spoke with deep authenticity as a bereaved parent herself. She was followed by Naomi Mason, who welcomed all with warmth and reflection:

“Tonight, alongside grief, there will be moments of joy. When you hear laughter, when you feel moved to dance, when joy touches your heart, welcome this flourishing. These moments don't diminish your love and loss - they honour both. Your children live on in your capacity for joy, in the love that continues to dance within you.

So tonight, remember: every seed needs both light and darkness to grow. And you can flourish - not despite your grief, but because of your love.”
As Naomi’s words settled in the room, the first course was served by a dedicated team of wait staff, while guests mingled, browsed the raffle and auction items, and listened to the gentle strains of live band Montana.

Who could forget the beautiful gown worn by Jelena, adorned with delicate organza flowers that had been lovingly hand crafted by her Mum Sue. The removable flowers were available for purchase with the desired result being that at the end of the evening Jelena’s once colourful gown was now intentionally plain, and instead guests proudly wore their beautiful floral momentos. A thoughtful and creative fundraiser, with a delightful story.

Wendy Collins, General Manager of LCF, took to the stage to give heartfelt thanks to the evening’s sponsors and to share the Foundation’s growing vision. She reminded us of the words of bereavement specialist Dr Colin Parks: “The pain of grief is just as much a part of life as the joy of love; it is, perhaps, the price we pay for love, the cost of commitment.” Wendy also recalled Queen Elizabeth II’s moving words after 9/11: “Grief is the price we pay for love.”
She reflected that love and grief are inseparable - two sides of the same precious coin - and paid warm tribute to the volunteer Peer Mentors of LCF. These mentors, having known both profound love and profound loss, walk alongside newly bereaved parents not to fix the unfixable, but to companion them, so no one must walk the path of grief alone.

There were tears in many eyes but also comfort in shared understanding. The energy soon shifted again as the live auction began, filled with generosity and enthusiasm, raising vital funds for the Peer Mentor program.

After mains and raffle draws, the evening’s guest speaker, Ben Stuart, stepped onto the stage to introduce his wife Bonnie before she returned to her seat. With
tender courage, he spoke of his son Ezekiel - a vibrant, compassionate 16-year-old whose life was cut heartbreakingly short, yet whose impact continues to ripple through countless lives. Ezekiel’s courage, his dream of returning to Uganda to serve others, and the love he left behind painted a picture of a life truly flourishing, even in its brevity.

Ben asked gently: “Is it possible to flourish after loss?” and pointed to the universe for answers: the sunrise after night, the rainbow after storm, the song of birds after stillness. “We have learnt,” he said, “to redeem the moments.”

The silence that followed was deep, sacred, and heavy with love. The standing ovation was not only for Ben’s words but for the love of all children carried in the hearts of those gathered.

The evening closed with dessert, laughter, music, and dancing as Montana filled the ballroom with joy. The new Ladybird range of Lys Coccinelle home fragrances sold out quickly with the beautiful scents permeating the Ballroom. The silent auction wrapped up at 9:30pm, with winners collecting their treasures, and the evening drew to a close at 11:00pm. Together, guests had raised an extraordinary amount to sustain the vital work of the Ladybird Care Foundation.

The Ladybird Gala Dinner is always a night of elegance, community, and generosity - but above all, it is a night of love. A love that remembers, a love that grieves, and a love that continues to flourish.
Louisa Filius