The Brief:

The Ronald McDonald Gala Ball is the flagship fundraising event for Ronald McDonald House Charities (RHMC), uniting Canberra’s corporate and community leaders for an unforgettable evening of generosity, entertainment and impact.

Set to be hosted the National Convention Centre Canberra, the venue was to be transformed into ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ celebration whimsical celebration inspired by A Midsummer Night’s Dream, transforming the venue into an immersive night of giving.

A highlight of Canberra’s fundraising calendar, the Gala features fine dining, auctions, raffles and headline performances to raise vital funds for families with seriously ill children.

The Collaboration:

For 2025, the organising team had set their sights set on Australian party band Furnace and the Fundamentals as the headline entertainment, recognising the band’s high-energy performances and crowd appeal as the perfect way to round out the night.

Fundraising & Marketing Manager at RMHC ACT & South East NSW, Robyn Zwar, turned to acta to secure the band and to directly connect with the Furnace and the Fundamentals team over at FRNDS MGMT.

The platform made the entire process seamless by managing everything from availability and negotiation to contracts and communication in one place, keeping both teams aligned throughout. Using acta, Robyn confirmed the booking, finalised documents, and managed logistics with ease, allowing the team to focus on creating a magical guest experience.

Using acta made everything incredibly efficient. The communication was clear, the logistics were smooth, and it allowed the talent to focus on what they do best and deliver a show that gets people dancing and celebrating for a good cause. - Leon Rogovoy (Talent Manager, FRNDS MGMT)

The Outcome:

The 2025 Ronald McDonald Gala Ball was a resounding success, bringing together heart, celebration and community for a truly memorable evening. Furnace and the Fundamentals showed why they are one of the top party bands in the country lighting up the stage with their signature energy, filling the dancefloor and ending the night on a high.

The RMHC team delivered a smooth and impactful event that raised over $500k and reinforced the Gala’s reputation as one of Canberra’s most anticipated evenings of the year.

Furnace and the Fundamentals were everything we hoped for and more. They brought the energy, the fun and had everyone on their feet. acta made the booking process straightforward, which meant our team could stay focused on creating a night that truly reflected the heart of RMHC. - Robyn Zwar (Fundraising & Marketing Manager, Ronald McDonald House Charities)

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