Owner of glamorous Sydney fundraiser announces brutal reason why celebrities are BANNED from this year’s event: ‘They don’t add value’
It is considered Australia's most exclusive charity gala, where Sydney's most glamorous philanthropists gather each 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 would avoid 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 that's just not our thing,” Penn explained.
“We've done this before and they end up taking up valuable space,” he said, adding that too much attention is usually on the celebrities and not 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 host of celebrities walk the red carpet, including cricketer Candice Warner, actor Lincoln Younes, Sunrise star Natalie Barr and ex-NRL star Cooper Cronk.
In the past, celebrities such as Chris Hemsworth, Roxy Jacenko, Ian Thorpe, Hamish Blake and Karl Stefanovic have also appeared 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 $19.2 million.
Speaking to The Daily Telegraph on Sunday, Gold Dinner co-chair Joshua Penn said the 2024 gala would avoid celebrities as they “don't seem to add much value” to the event. (Pictured: Candice Warner, left, and Lincoln Younes, right, at the 2023 Gold Dinner)
The 2024 Gold Dinner has already raised more than $55 million from sponsors and donations leading up to the May 1 soiree.
Funds raised at this year's gala will support the redevelopment of children's hospitals in Randwick and Westmead.
The invitation-only gala takes place at a secret location in Sydney and has a unique theme each 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 that's just not our thing,” Penn explained. (Pictured: Tara Rushton and Cooper Cronk at the 2023 Gala)
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