Community digs deep for CLRS cause

Local lawyer Jim Cosgriff returned as MC, guiding the evening with his signature warmth and humour.

Guests were treated to a three-course meal, a range of prizes and the popular live and silent auctions throughout the night.

The auctions were a major highlight of the night, with guests bidding on more than 40 prizes generously donated by a range of businesses.

Troy O’Brien and Gary Wood from Charles L. King Real Estate Echuca brought their expertise to the live auction, keeping the room energised and bids competitive.

Additional funds were also raised through raffle ticket sales and lucky envelopes, in addition to the sold-out tickets.

CLRS chief executive Leah Taaffe said she was grateful for the support on the night.

“We are deeply grateful for the support shown at this year’s dinner,” she said.

“Every dollar raised goes directly towards creating safe, appropriate housing for people with disability in our local community.”

After dinner, attention turned to the evening’s keynote speaker, renowned biomedical engineer and humanitarian Dr Jordan Nguyen and his robot companion, Kubo.

During his keynote, he shared his journey as an engineer and gave a demonstration of his ‘Stargaze’ platform, designed to be operated solely by a person’s eyes.

The device will enable people with profound disabilities to not only write and speak, but to also draw, edit videos, browse the web and more.

Mr Nguyen said despite the capabilities of technology, it was nothing without human connection.

“I hope to see our technologies one day evolve in the community as well, but only in ways that don't replace human connection. Our human connection is so incredibly important,” he said.

“When it comes to this level of community, what we have here today, the work that you do, the things that you’re backing in CLRS, it is incredible.”

All funds raised will continue to support the CLRS Opening Doors Project, which enables people with disability to live independently in their community.

With 22 people already living independently through the program, CLRS hopes to expand the project with another home.

Ms Taaffe said the evening’s proceeds would have a life-changing impact.

“Our community’s generosity is life-changing. It means people who face more adversity than most will have the opportunity to have a place to call home and the support they need to live independently in their community with confidence,” she said.