Living the Legacy: 2023 Stephie’s Choice Gala Ball Celebration

The LIVE YOUR BEST LIFE Stephie’s Choice Gala Ball 2023 brought the community together for an unforgettable evening of connection, entertainment, and purpose. Held on Saturday, 25 November 2023 at Springvale Town Hall, the annual charity gala continued to build on its growing impact — raising vital funds to support children and young adults living with disability.

2023 Gala Evening Overview

The 2023 Gala Evening took place at the Springvale Town Hall (Main Hall), located at 397–405 Springvale Road, Springvale VIC. Guests were welcomed from 7:00pm, with the evening’s program running through to 11:30pm.

Set in the heart of Melbourne’s south-east, the venue once again provided a warm and elegant backdrop for the event. The historic hall was filled with energy as supporters, families, and community members came together to celebrate, give back, and honour Stephie’s legacy.

Guests embraced the cocktail dress code with sparkles, creating a vibrant and uplifting atmosphere from the moment doors opened.

The Heart of Stephie’s Choice Foundation 

Stephie’s Choice Foundation Limited is an ACNC-registered Australian charity with DGR status, founded by Gavin and Andrea Clifford in memory of their daughter, Stephanie-Ann “Stephie” Clifford. 

Stephie lived with Ataxia-Telangiectasia (A-T), a rare and progressive neurological condition that affects movement, coordination, and life expectancy. Despite this, her outlook on life continues to inspire the foundation’s mission. 

Her words — “Every day is a good day… some are just better than others” — remain a guiding philosophy behind the foundation’s work. 

In 2023, the foundation achieved significant milestones:

• Continued growth as a registered charity with DGR status
• Trademarking of the “Stephie’s Choice” name across multiple categories
• Supporting 28 children and young adults through programs and experiences that promote inclusion and independence
• Setting a goal to support 50 individuals in the coming year

The 2023 board comprised Gavin Clifford (Chair), Andrea Clifford, Aidan Davitt (legal compliance), Shireen Pires (key benefactor and Stephie’s godmother), Lauretta Lee, and Bob Lee.

Opening Address: Reflecting on Growth and Impact

The evening commenced with a heartfelt address from Gavin Clifford, Co-Founder and Chair, who welcomed guests and reflected on the foundation’s journey over the past year. He acknowledged the board, supporters, and Ambassador Sam Mitchell, while reinforcing the foundation’s purpose — to make a positive difference in people’s lives through living in the moment.

A key highlight of the address was the reflection on the 28 individuals supported throughout the year, alongside a shared goal to expand that impact even further.

The 2023 Gala featured a keynote address from Sam Mitchell, AFL Premiership player and Head Coach of Hawthorn Football Club, and Ambassador of Stephie’s Choice Foundation. His presence and ongoing support continue to strengthen the foundation’s connection to the broader community, with his message serving as a powerful reminder of the importance of compassion, resilience, and giving back. 

Bob Lee also delivered a sincere message of appreciation, acknowledging sponsors, donors, and volunteers who made the evening possible.

Stephie’s story remained central to the message, reminding guests that the evening was not only a celebration, but a commitment to creating lasting change.

Gala Ball Entertainment Highlights

The 2023 Gala Ball featured one of the most diverse and memorable entertainment programmes in the event’s short history — a carefully curated lineup that kept the energy high from arrival through to the final song.

Interactive Dance Performance

One of the standout moments of the evening was an interactive dance performance that invited guests onto the floor.

More than just entertainment, the experience reflected the foundation’s core message — that joy is shared, inclusive, and meant to be experienced together.

Elvis Presley Tribute

A returning crowd favourite, the Elvis Presley tribute performance delivered a lively mix of nostalgia, humour, and high-energy entertainment.

Guests embraced the moment — singing along, dancing, and fully immersing themselves in the spirit of the evening.

Live Band and DJ Performances

Next Gen, led by Judy and Keryn returned for their second consecutive Stephie’s Choice Gala, delivering energetic sets throughout the night, keeping the dance floor full and the atmosphere vibrant.

The DJ carried the celebration through to the 11:30 pm close, ensuring the dance floor stayed alive and the energy in the room remained high right to the very end.

Silent Auction

The 2023 Silent Auction opened online on Wednesday, 8 November 2023 — more than two weeks before the gala — allowing supporters across Victoria and beyond to place bids from home. Bidding closed at 9:30 pm on the night of the event, creating an exciting live countdown moment for guests inside the main hall.

Highlights among the 2023 auction items included:

• Luxury weekend getaways to boutique hotels and regional retreats
• Fine dining packages at leading Melbourne restaurants
•  Concert and theatre tickets offering premium seats to sold‑out shows and performances
•  Premium concert and theatre tickets
• Sports memorabilia including signed jerseys, framed prints, and rare collector’s items
• Unique experiences including private whisky tours, behind-the-scenes gallery visits, and chef-led cooking classes
• Original artworks and jewellery donated by local artisans and designers
• Original artworks created by ONEMDA students

All proceeds directly supported the foundation’s programs, reinforcing the collective impact of every contribution.

Night of Memorable Moments

From the sparkle of arrival to the last song of the evening, the 2023 Gala Evening at Springvale Town Hall was a night that stayed with all who attended. Among the standout moments:

• Guests stepping into the historic main hall in glittering cocktail attire
• Gavin Clifford’s heartfelt opening, grounding the evening in Stephie’s story
• Bob Lee’s sincere message of thanks to the foundation’s community of supporters
• Sam Mitchell’s keynote address — a powerful, personal, and inspiring highlight of the night
• The interactive dance performance, drawing guests of all ages to the floor
• The Elvis Presley impersonation that had the room singing, laughing, and on their feet
• The silent auction closing countdown, filled with excitement and generosity
• A live band and DJ carrying the energy through to the very end of the night

Sponsors and In-Kind Supporters

The 2023 Gala Ball was made possible through the generosity of financial sponsors and a wide network of in-kind contributors.

Financial sponsors included:

• MGA Insurance
• Tyronne Pires Legacy
• Doehler Australia
• EPA International
• Callidus Advisory
• VSMA
• Almoe Trading

In-kind food and beverage contributions were provided by:

• Trevor at SAJ (Vegetables)
• Robert at Arctic Foods (Condiments, sauces and fish)
• Robert at Delica Meats (Lamb)
• Anthony at Tamby Foods (Finger foods)
• Gina from Bite Me Cakes (Cakes)
• Martine from The Bakery Lab (Baked goods)

Event Coordination

Event production for the 2023 Gala Ball was again led by Briony, Ravi, and Nikki from RnB Events whose precision, care, and dedication to detail ensured the evening ran seamlessly from start to finish.

With Sincere Gratitude

The 2023 LIVE YOUR BEST LIFE Gala Evening was made possible through the generosity, dedication, and heart of many:

• MGA Insurance, Tyronne Pires Legacy, Doehler Australia, EPA International, Callidus Advisory, VSMA and Almoe Trading for their vital financial support
• Roger for sourcing contributions from his extensive network
• Global Hospitality Group (Matt, Peter, Liam, Nick and the team) for culinary and front-of-house excellence
• Suresh Vaidyanathan for back-of-house staffing support
• Briony, Ravi and Nikki from RnB Events for event production
• Next Gen (Judy, Keryn and the team) for another outstanding live performance
• Sam Mitchell for his continued commitment as Ambassador
• All in-kind food and beverage donors
• Every volunteer who worked behind the scenes
• Every guest who attended, bid in the auction, and gave generously

Your presence, your generosity, and your belief in this mission ensure that Stephie’s legacy continues and that children with disabilities across Australia can truly live their best life.