As we wrap up the year, we’re taking a moment to reflect on an incredible highlight from October.
Lighthouse was honoured to be selected as the charity beneficiary for this year’s ANZ Diwali celebration; thanks to the generosity of the ANZ community, together we raised an incredible $181,000 for Lighthouse.
Diwali is a festival of light, and across two vibrant days, that spirit of warmth, connection, and giving was felt in every moment of the celebration.
Proud to be part of ANZ Diwali for the second time
Led by Rathika Rahuraman and ANZ’s dedicated Diwali Committee, this event began as an inspiring concept Rathika created many years ago. We were proud to be part of the celebration for the second time since it began, and we were extremely grateful to be welcomed so wholeheartedly by the entire ANZ team.
Two days of celebration, community and impact
The two-day celebration opened with a vibrant and welcoming lunch that set the tone beautifully. We were thrilled to have our talented Head of Partnerships, Jo Stanley, take to the stage as MC to bring warmth, energy, and a real sense of connection to the room.
One of the standout moments was hearing from Jacinta, a young person from our On For Life program, who shared her story with the room. It was a moving reminder of why this work matters — and what can change when young people have safety, care, and wraparound support beyond their transition out of Lighthouse homes.
You can read more about Jacinta’s journey in our latest blog on our website: Give Hope This Festive Season | Lighthouse Foundation
Double-matched giving at the market stall
Across the event, the Lighthouse market stall became a buzzing hub of activity, conversation, and generosity, with ANZ taking that impact even further.
ANZ generously double-matched every sale made at our stall throughout the celebration, creating an extraordinary ripple effect. That commitment didn’t just boost the total raised — it amplified the meaning behind every purchase, turning small moments of giving into something even bigger.
A heartfelt thank you to our auction supporters
We’d also like to extend a special thank you to those who contributed to the live auction and helped drive such an outstanding result.
- Terry Swann, for contributing two beautiful paintings.
- Mandel Aboriginal Art Gallery, for the stunning artwork donated for the live auction.
What $181,000 means for young people at Lighthouse
We’re proud to share that, together, we raised $181,000, which will make a profound difference in the lives of vulnerable young people.
$180,000 provides a safe and loving home, specialised clinical therapy, nourishing meals, and a vehicle for carers to safely transport young people to appointments, education, and community activities.
This support helps Lighthouse continue our work creating safe, therapeutic homes for young people who have experienced trauma and instability. It helps us keep showing up with care that is consistent, trauma-informed and focused on long-term healing, so young people can build the foundations for the life they deserve.
Thank you, ANZ
To the entire ANZ team: thank you for believing in our mission and choosing to stand with us this Diwali. Your generosity, energy and commitment to community will have a lasting impact and we are so grateful.
If your organisation is interested in partnering with Lighthouse to help vulnerable children and young people by keeping our homes open and our vital programs running, we’d love to hear from you.
