On Friday, 14th February, something truly magical happened. The inaugural Followmont Transport Hearts of Gold Gala filled the room with love, compassion, and an overwhelming sense of community. As we celebrated Valentine’s Day, we also celebrated the power of giving—coming together to support families facing the unimaginable journey of childhood cancer.
Thanks to the kindness and generosity of our incredible supporters, a staggering $611,000 was raised for Childhood Cancer Support! These funds will allow us to continue providing a home away from home for families navigating the toughest of times, ensuring they have the support they need when they need it most.
We were deeply honoured to share this special night with Her Excellency the Hon Dr Jeannette Young AC PSM, Governor of Queensland, and her husband, Professor Graeme Nimmo RFD, whose presence highlighted the importance of our mission.
Associate Professor Wayne Nicholls from Children’s Health Queensland delivered a powerful message about the vital role Childhood Cancer Support plays. He shared how the hospital relies on our organisation to provide essential accommodation for families during treatment—giving them a safe and supportive place to stay in their most challenging moments.
Our General Manager, Helen Crew, delivered a raw and heartfelt speech, painting a picture of the harsh realities families face when their child is diagnosed with cancer. She spoke of the fear, uncertainty, and resilience these families experience, reminding us all why this cause is so important—and why the generosity of our community is truly life-changing.
This spectacular night was made possible by the generosity of our incredible sponsors, including Followmont Transport as the Official Sponsor, alongside Mark Tobin Transport, Country Trucker Caps, SEE Group, Brown and Hurley, Blue Dog Training, P & T O’Brien Transport, RTE Rocklea Truck Electrical, Williams Cranes & Rigging, VE Group AU, Pickles, Exodas Transport, Smoothy Contracting, and VCV Australia. We are also grateful to our media partners ARN and News Corp Australia, whose support helped bring this event to life.
A huge thank you to our incredible MCs, renowned journalists and broadcasters Bianca Stone and Jim Wilson, who guided us through the evening with warmth and energy.
To Michael Crossland, our inspiring keynote speaker—your story moved every heart in the room and left no eye dry. You reminded us of the strength and resilience of children battling cancer and the profound impact of community support.
To the Nowlan family, thank you for sharing your journey with us. Your courage and honesty touched every person in the room, reinforcing why we must continue to fight for better outcomes for children and families facing childhood cancer.
A heartfelt thank you also goes to our Gala Steering Committee, volunteers, and dedicated staff. Your passion, hard work, and unwavering commitment made this night possible—you are the heartbeat of this cause.
This is just the beginning. Together, we are making a difference. Together, we are changing lives.
