RizeUp Brings Flagship Gala Ball Home to the Gold Coast

WORDS: Ocean Road Editorial Staff PHOTOGRAPHY Supplied

RizeUp, Australia’s leading not-for-profit supporting victim-survivors of domestic and family violence, is bringing its flagship Gala Ball to the Gold Coast for the first time this September, marking a significant milestone in the organisation’s next chapter of growth and impact.

Set to be held at The Star Gold Coast on Saturday 5 September, the event will unite business leaders, philanthropists, community advocates and supporters from across Australia to raise vital funds and awareness for those rebuilding their lives after domestic and family violence.

The Gold Coast event represents a natural homecoming for the not-for-profit, founded locally by Nicolle Edwards before growing into one of Australia’s most recognised domestic and family violence charities.

Beyond fundraising, the evening will shine a spotlight on one of Australia’s most pressing social issues and the vital role practical, coordinated community support plays in helping victim-survivors move forward with greater safety and stability.

Since launching in 2015, RizeUp has supported almost 80,000 people nationwide through practical initiatives designed to create safety, dignity and greater economic stability. Working alongside specialist domestic and family violence services, almost 2000 volunteers and an extensive network of community and corporate partners, RizeUp has become Australia’s leading provider of practical, trauma-informed support for victim-survivors.

Founded after recognising a critical gap in Australia’s domestic and family violence response, RizeUp was built on a simple but powerful belief: everyone deserves to be safe, and leaving violence does not always mean arriving at safety. For many individuals and families, the journey towards safety often begins with little more than the clothes they leave with.

RizeUp Founder and CEO Nicolle Edwards says bringing the Gala Ball to the Gold Coast felt especially fitting.

“For us, this event has never simply been about fundraising. It’s about creating a platform to shine a light on the realities facing those experiencing domestic and family violence, while celebrating the power of community to create change,” Nicolle said.

“The Gold Coast is where RizeUp was born, where so many of our volunteers, supporters and partners are based, and where we’ve witnessed the extraordinary impact that communities can have when people come together with a shared purpose.”

While proud of the organisation’s growth, Nicolle says RizeUp’s focus remains firmly on the future.

“Last year I made a commitment that RizeUp’s next decade wouldn’t simply be about going further but going deeper. As Australia continues to face this national crisis, we remain committed to listening closely to victim-survivors and continually evolving our response to meet the realities they face,” Nicolle said.

“Everything we do is centred on restoring dignity and helping individuals and families build greater stability as they move forward.”

As Australia continues to experience unacceptably high rates of domestic and family violence, demand for RizeUp’s support continues to grow with specialist services increasingly seeking assistance for victim- survivors navigating complex barriers to long-term safety, housing and economic stability.”Domestic violence isn’t simply about leaving a violent relationship,” Nicolle said.

“For many, that’s when the real rebuilding begins. Access to a safe home, essential household items and practical support can make all the difference during one of the most overwhelming periods of a family’s life, particularly when children and young people are victim-survivors in their own right.”

With strong community support already driving ticket sales, the event is expected to attract hundreds of guests from across Queensland and beyond, reinforcing the growing momentum behind RizeUp’s mission and impact.

“Every ticket purchased helps ensure we can say ‘yes’ to more families when they need us most,” Nicolle said.

“Every RizeUp home represents far more than furniture. It represents a family who deserves the chance to move forward and a child who deserves to be safe, and that’s exactly what every ticket to this event helps make possible.”

The 2026 RizeUp Gala Ball will be held on Saturday, 5 September 2026 at The Star Gold Coast, featuring an evening filled with live entertainment, fundraising initiatives, special guests and storytelling moments that highlight the impact of RizeUp’s work across Australia. Individual tickets are priced at $275 and $2,750 for a table of 10.

Guests and supporters can also be part of The Big RizeUp Raffle, with winners to be drawn on the night of the Gala Ball. Featuring an incredible line up of prizes, the raffle offers supporters the chance to win while making a meaningful difference to the lives of victim-survivors of domestic and family violence.

Prizes include a 10 night luxury Tasmanian holiday for four including airfares and car hire, two years’ worth of designer dress hire, a luxury Botanica villa escape at Elements of Byron, a 12 month Fernwood Fitness membership, $1,000 Tommy Hilfiger and Calvin Klein vouchers, luxury travel, fashion and wellness experiences, and much more. Every raffle ticket purchased helps RizeUp furnish safe homes for individuals and families rebuilding their lives after domestic and family violence. Tickets are available now, with winners to be drawn at the RizeUp Gala Ball on Saturday 5 September.

Raffle tickets here.

For more information or to book your seat, please visit: https://www.rizeup.com.au/