Sutherland Shire Council has rewarded St George and Sutherland Medical Research Foundation (SSMRF) with $20,025, as the chosen recipients of the charity for the 43rd Sutherland Shire Mayoral Debutante Charity Ball.
Established in 2007, the SSMRF offers medical research grant funding to assist doctors and other health professionals in conducting vital medical research at St George and Sutherland hospitals, with the aim of improving care and outcomes for patients and the community.
"Each year I nominate the community charity we support and I'm proud that this year's funds will go towards medical research at the hospitals," Sutherland mayor Carmelo Pesce said.
"The ball is a long-standing tradition that began in 1976 with a Debutante Ball to officially open the new Sutherland Entertainment Centre and it remains one of the premier events on our calendar.
"It's such a fantastic and enjoyable event to celebrate the achievements of our young people in supporting a worthy local charity and it wasn't a surprise to see over 280 people in attendance at this year's event."
A total of 16 young couples, including four couples from CIVIC Disabilities, joined the event late last month, providing an inclusive environment for young people to give back to their community.
"One of the foundation's main objectives is to support the next generation of researchers by providing vital seed funding of between $20,000 and $50,000 to get a great research idea off the ground," SSMRF chief executive Jacqui Stratford said.
The event saw school communities, charities, not-for-profits, the business community and political representatives join for the cause.
Director of Aged Care and Rehabilitation at Sutherland Hospital for South Eastern Sydney Local Health District and SSMRF board member, Associate Professor Peter Gonski, says research done at community level encourages "the best people" to work with the foundation.