A Powerful Gathering: Community Unites for Kelly’s Long Lunch

WORDS: Danielle Ford PHOTOGRAPHY Brian Usher - www.usherusher.com 0412 910 857

The Gold Coast community came together on Friday 1 August at the Mercure Gold Coast Resort for Kelly’s Long Lunch—an emotional and inspiring fundraising event hosted by the Kelly Wilkinson Foundation. Held on what would have been Kelly’s birthday, the event brought together supporters, advocates, and change-makers to honour her legacy and raise vital funds for secondary victims of domestic violence homicide.

Now in its second year, the Foundation has already provided support to 18 secondary victims, many of whom are children left behind after devastating acts of violence. The lunch served not only as a fundraiser, but as a platform for honest and empowering conversations centred around the theme “A Year Without Parents.” Guests heard from an influential panel of speakers, including Lindsay Clark (Department of Child Safety), Margo Priestly (Secondary Victim), Melissa Dwyer (Queensland Police Service), and Nathan Crane (Department of Public Prosecution), who spoke candidly about resilience, justice, prevention, and collective responsibility.

“This event is about turning grief into purpose,” said Danielle Carroll, Founder and Managing Director of the Kelly Wilkinson Foundation. “By gathering on Kelly’s birthday, we honour her legacy with a powerful show of support for women in crisis and help continue the legacy of her foundation by rebuilding lives and restoring hope into the families who ultimately become the secondary victims of DV crime.”

Attendees enjoyed a beautifully curated long lunch, entertainment, and opportunities to contribute to the Foundation’s mission through raffles and direct donations. Every dollar raised will go directly toward supporting the children and caregivers affected by domestic violence homicide—ensuring they are not forgotten as they begin the difficult journey of healing.