A Brisbane real estate agent has raised over $500,000 for melanoma research through a major charity event, reinforcing the industry’s growing role in community-driven fundraising initiatives.
A Brisbane real estate agent has raised more than $500,000 for melanoma research, putting together the sixth annual Brisbane Long Lunch in collaboration with charity organisation Tour de Cure.
Place Bulimba lead agent Cathy Eastwood had been a significant supporter of the Long Lunch, raising more than $3 million for various charities through the event over the past six years.
Eastwood said the charity lunch, which attracted more than 350 of Brisbane’s business and property leaders in its most recent iteration, was more than just an event on the calendar.
“This is about people coming together to do something meaningful,” Eastwood said.
The Long Lunch featured food and wine, live entertainment, and a charity auction led by Place auctioneer Sam Kelso, to raise money for research.
Eastwood said that melanoma research had become a deeply personal cause for her and her partner, following the loss of a family friend.
“Losing our friend, it changed our outlook on life, and this is my way of turning that loss into something that can help others,” she said.
The lunch raised more than $535,000 for the cause, and Eastwood said she felt it was her responsibility as a real estate agent to give back to the community.
“In real estate, you’re part of people’s lives in a really meaningful way, and I think that comes with a responsibility to contribute beyond just property,” she said.
“This event reflects that. It’s about showing up for the community that supports you.”
Local Brisbane artist Lisa Perruzza, who donated an original piece of artwork sold at the event’s auction, said supporting the lunch had become a meaningful part of her own work.
“In the last five years of donating my artwork, I’ve raised $98,500 for charity, and events like this are such an incredible way to make a real impact,” Perruzza said.
Since its formation in 2007, Tour de Cure has raised $158 million for cancer research, with the long lunch just one part of the brand’s fundraising efforts.
Eastwood said that over the years, the Long Lunch event had cemented its place on Brisbane’s social and philanthropic calendar.
“We’ll keep going; the impact is real, and there’s so much more we can do,” Eastwood concluded.
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