The Official Launch of the Neil Sachse Foundation

Tuesday November 21st saw the start of a new era. The organisation’s name was changed to the Neil Sachse Foundation. This was to recognise the contribution that Neil Sachse has made to the organisation and to the community through working tirelessly since 1994 to raise funds for research and finding treatments for spinal cord injury.

Approximately 75 people attended, with representations from the footballing world, the corporate world and Foundation supporters. The Hon Bob Sneath, MLC, President of the Legislative Council, representing the Hon Mike Rann, South Australian Premier officially launched the Foundation.

A video prepared by Mark Aiston and Matt Oborn highlighted some ways that people sustain spinal cord injury and Neil Sachse’s accident, which left him a quadriplegic. This was very emotional and began proceedings on a serious note. 

Mark Aiston from Channel 10 and mediainsider was the MC for the function, and the attendees heard presentations from CEO, Neil Sachse about the high prospects of finding a cure for spinal cord injury, Flinders University Professor Robert Rush about the nerve regeneration research conducted through the organisation, Chairman Rick Harley about the history of the organisation and our partnerships with others and NewsCorp Chairman Peter Wylie spoke about the importance of supporting the Foundation.  

A fundraising campaign was also launched on the day, with the target being to raise $1 million over two years, as this will be sufficient to begin operating as a Centre of Excellence and work towards beginning clinical trials (please see about us for further information). 

The way that this target will be achieved is with 100 community-minded individuals and businesses to donate $5000 per year for two years (please click here to download our brochure - 448Kb PDF).

Already, a number of individuals and businesses have become donors and for this, we thank them. The inagrual donor was PQASA HomeCare Plus, followed by Graeme Bignell, Adtrans, HMNS, AFL Players Association, Advertiser Sunday Mail Foundation, the Rotary Club of Modbury and John and Sandy Johnston. 

The Launch was a great success, with all attendees responding positively and the atmosphere was very congenial and relaxed. The Neil Sachse Foundation could not have achieved such a great event without the following sponsors: The Lakes Resort Hotel, designCentric, Three Reasons, Hewitson Wines, Warren Public Relations, Mark Aiston and Matt Oborn. We thank these sponsors for their support; it is very much appreciated.  

Pasta Night

One of the most exciting events on our annual calendar is the Pasta Night. The Andersons Solicitors Pasta Night was this year held on October 6th, again at the Marche Club in Paradise.

This year’s was the most successful Pasta Night to date, with $19,500 raised; an impressive increase on last year’s $11,500.

The Pasta Night is a fun night out, with all-you-can-eat Pasta, live entertainment, raffles, auctions and this year, an Elvis floorshow.

It was well-attended and feedback was very positive, with special attention being made on the antics of Elvis during the floorshow!

The auction items this year covered a large range, from accommodation packages to step ladders, and there were over 40 raffle items, ensuring a good chance of winning the many exciting prizes such as hampers and vouchers.

The Neil Sachse Foundation would like to extend its thanks to

• Tracy Sachse and Stacey Joyce for helping to organise the event
• The four sponsors – Anderson’s Solicitors (gold), SA Care (silver), Datanet (silver) and Australian Mortgage Brokers (bronze) for their sponsorship and attendance
• The Marche Club for again providing the venue and catering
• The businesses and individuals who donated items for the auctions and raffles.

Last, but not least, thank you to all who attended and we hope that you’ll be back again next year!

Dinner with a Minister

Each year, Mr Bob Sneath, President of the Legislative Council and great supporter of the Neil Sachse Foundation puts on a number of events at Parliament House, with all proceeds to the Foundation.

Attendees eat a meal in the Parliamentary dining room and have the opportunity to go on a personalised tour of Parliament House. This year, the approximately 50 people attended the dinner, held on August 29th, with Guest Minister, Minister for Health, Hon John Hill.

It was a great night, with food, drink and conversation flowing easily. Minister Hill pledged a gift of $5000 to the Foundation, which was greatly appreciated and we would like to thank him for this and for his attendance at the event. This event raised $10,000 in total, which is a great result. Let’s see if we can top that next time!

Again, the Neil Sachse Foundation would like to thank Mr Bob Sneath and Ms Narrah Luks for putting on the event and also to the attendees – it could not have been such a success without you!