It is regarded as the most exclusive charity gala in Australia, with Sydney’s most glamorous philanthropists gathering every year to raise money for The Sydney Children’s Hospital Foundation.
But the co-chair of Sydney’s annual Gold Dinner has announced bad news for any celebrities hoping to attend this year’s event.
Speaking to The Daily Telegraph on Sunday, Gold Dinner co-chair Joshua Penn said the 2024 gala will shun celebrities, as they ‘don’t seem to add much value’ to the event.
‘I’m always told to invite the celebrity or the famous rugby player and put the WAG on the list but it is just not our thing,’ Penn explained.
‘We have done it before and they end up taking up valuable space’, he said, adding that the attention is usually too much on the celebrities, rather than on the purpose of the event.
Joshua Penn (right, with mother Linda) The co-chair of Sydney’s annual Gold Dinner has announced bad news for any celebrities hoping to attend this year’s event
Last year’s Gold Dinner saw a swathe of celebrities walk the red carpet, including the likes of cricket WAG Candice Warner, actor Lincoln Younes, Sunrise star Natalie Barr and Ex-NRL star Cooper Cronk.
In the past, celebrities like Chris Hemsworth, Roxy Jacenko, Ian Thorpe, Hamish Blake and Karl Stefanovic have also made appearances on the red carpet.
The prestigious gala has raised nearly $60 million since its inception in 1997, with last year’s event bringing in a record of $19.2 million.
Speaking to The Daily Telegraph on Sunday, Gold Dinner co-chair Joshua Penn said the 2024 gala will shun celebrities, as they ‘don’t seem to add much value’ to the event. (Pictured: Candice Warner, left, and Lincoln Younes, right, attending the 2023 Gold Dinner)
The 2024 Gold Dinner has already raised more than $55 million from sponsors and donations ahead of the soiree on May 1.
Funds raised at this year’s gala will help the redevelopment of the children’s hospitals at Randwick and Westmead.
The invitation-only gala is held at a secret location in Sydney and is given a unique theme every year.
In 2023, the theme was a modern take on The Wizard of Oz and featured a gold carpet inspired by the iconic film’s yellow brick road.
‘I’m always told to invite the celebrity or the famous rugby player and put the WAG on the list but it is just not our thing,’ Penn explained. (Pictured: Tara Rushton and Cooper Cronk at the 2023 gala)
