Poppy Ball 2025 – An Evening aboard HMAS Canberra III

“The money raised means more veterans will access timely support, secure stable housing, and get practical help to rebuild their lives. It’s an incredible result, and every dollar reflects the trust our community places in RSL LifeCare to deliver for those who have served.” — Janet Muir, CEO, RSL LifeCare  

Held aboard HMAS Canberra (III) at Garden Island on Sydney Harbour, the third annual Poppy Ball offered guests a truly unforgettable experience on the Saturday prior to Remembrance Day. The unique setting, a working military ship, underscored the deep connection between the armed forces and the broader community. The event was made possible through the generous support of the Royal Australian Navy and Chief of Navy, Vice Admiral Mark Hammond AO RAN.  

A highlight of the evening was the Ceremonial Sunset, featuring a stirring didgeridoo performance, the solemn lowering of the Colours, and the national anthem. The ceremony set a reflective tone, honouring the service and sacrifice of our veteran community.  

The evening’s program was brought to life by MC Vince Sorrenti, whose trademark sense of humour and passion for the cause energised the crowd. He showcased a passion for supporting veteran families and whipped the crowd into a frenzy of excitement as we launched into the live auction later in the evening…  

Speaking of the live auction, some fantastic items were on offer, including a Red Bull aerobatic experience, a special naval experience, and signed NRL jerseys, generously provided by the Chief of Navy himself. One of the major items was a Western Front battlefields tours generously donated by Mat McLachlan Battlefields Tours; Mat himself presented the prize on the night and also announced a special offering, a 5% discount to veterans as well as a donation of 5% of the cost of the tour to RSL LifeCare. To access this offer, please visit battlefields.com.au and quote ‘RSL LifeCare’ when booking your trip.  

We were honoured to hear from a distinguished line-up of speakers, including Sangeeta Venkatesan, Chair, RSL LifeCare; Vice Admiral Mark Hammond AO RAN, Chief of Navy; The Honourable Chris Minns MP, Premier of NSW; David Anderson, Chief Veteran Services Officer, RSL LifeCare; and Peter Daniel AM CSC, Chief of People & Culture, Raytheon Australia. A special message from our Patron, Her Excellency The Honourable Ms. Sam Mostyn, Governor General of Australia, further underscored the importance of supporting veterans.  

The event was attended by many distinguished guests including senior Defence leaders, government representatives, and community champions, all united in their commitment to honouring and empowering veterans.  

Relive the magic of the night: Explore the photo gallery below to experience the spirit, camaraderie, and unforgettable moments that defined this year’s Poppy Ball.  

Thank you to our sponsors

 

Thank you to all of our sponsors, particularly Raytheon Australia, our Platinum Sponsor, who has shared their commitment every year since the inaugural Poppy Ball in 2023.

We would also like to thank the many organisations that donated prizes, in particular, the veteran-owned businesses that helped make the night a success.

This event wouldn’t be possible without the generous commitment of all of our sponsors:  

Raytheon Australia, Archer Search, Pearce Smith, Smart™, AssetProjects, Bullseye Construction, Contract Care Recruitment, Bidfood Australia and Medclean. 

We would also like to thank the many organisations that donated prizes, in particular, the veteran-owned businesses that helped make the night a success.

 

Veteran Owned Businesses that supported the 2025 Poppy Ball

Sleepy Reaper – supplied the coffee for the evening and donated to the auction  

Wet Canteen Bottling & Chief’s Son Distillery  supplied commemorative bottles of whisky for a very special auction  (and our huge appreciation to Navantia Australia for providing the label artwork and support).

Additional veteran owned business donations and support came from:  

3 Elements Coffee, Beraldo Coffee, First Fruits Coffee, Australian Warfighter Coffee, Belbin, Dickinson Estate Wines, Heaps Good Spirits, Sydney EcoWalk Tours, Robbers Dog, Su Legno Ales, Temora Aviation Museum  

Thank you to our sponsors, supporters and guests who helped make the night a success, not only for your support of RSL LifeCare, but for the many of you that champion the role of veterans in employment and local communities everywhere. Together, we make a far greater impact than any individual organisation or person. Together, we are creating proud communities for our veterans and their families to live their best lives. 

 

Photo Gallery

 

The event was truly spectacular, and the photos of the night show just how special the night was.

Click the images below to enlarge them.