Posted 11 November 2026
On Thursday 29 October, 320 of SVI’s supporters came together at the Park Hyatt Melbourne for our For the Love of Science dinner, an evening devoted to a question at the heart of SVI’s work: how do we help people live not just longer, but better?
Themed “The Longevity Edition,” the evening honoured the researchers working to add healthy years to life, and the donors who make that work possible. Guests arrived in the ballroom to the sound of Steve Sedergreen’s piano, Pommery Champagne in hand, and found a room transformed by artwork commissioned for the occasion. Immersive visuals wrapped around the screens, carrying guests through a forest that moved with the seasons as the night unfolded.
Guests heard from former SVI Director Professor Tom Kay, who reminded the audience that longevity is about more than length of life. “Living is in the doing,” he said. “Through your actions as a donor you directly help improve the quality of life for a generation of children and adults… And not just this generation but every generation to come. That’s something that really can live forever.”
Thanks to the generosity of our guests, the evening raised almost $700,000, bringing the total raised through the For the Love of Science series to just shy of $2 million.
Backing researchers at every stage
The funds will support researchers at every career stage, from SVI’s Rising Stars to its most experienced scientists. They will keep our brightest minds in the lab, buy the equipment they need and fund research into cancer, dementia, heart disease, osteoporosis, and type 1 and type 2 diabetes, and more.
A night of giving
The live auction, which included a private dinner cooked at home by star chef Audrey Shaw, raised a dazzling $44,000. A silent auction made possible by the generosity of our donors and a raffle drawn by SVI researchers themselves, offered guests the chance to win everything from designer jewellery, to a weekend of wellness, with all profits supporting SVI research.
Thank you
Our sincere thanks to Karen Inge, Chair of the For the Love of Science committee, and the committee members: Rhonda Barro, Pam Batrouney, Caroline Cornish, Caroline Daniell, Paula Gurry, Mem Kirby OAM, Jennifer Lempriere, Michael Strownix, Carolyn Stubbs OAM and Christine Tarascio AM. Thanks too to the donors of our auction and raffle items, including Christine Barro, David Loh, Alan Johnson & Iain Findlay, Gwinganna Retreat, Andrew McConnell & Jo McGann, Audrey Shaw, Kathy & Gerard Doherty, and Champagne Pommery. We are also grateful to Michael Nunan, our MC, and Andrew Koulaouzos, our auctioneer, as well as musicians Steve Sedergreen, Felix Meredith and Eclective Strings.