2024 Variety Toyota AFL Grand Final Lunch
The Footy Lunch with Heart
Date: 25 September 2024
Time: 11:30am - 3:30pm
Venue: Palladium at Crown Melbourne
Dress: Smart business attire
Now in it's 40th year, the Variety Toyota AFL Grand Final Lunch, was founded by Variety Life Member, Maureen Hafey OAM and her husband AFL Hall of Fame Legend Tom Hafey. The event is a Melbourne institution that has raised over $2million for kids living with disability, illness or experiencing disadvantage.  Through the ongoing support of Melbourne’s football community, Variety – the Children’s Charity has changed the lives of thousands of kids in need and their families.
Each year, on the Wednesday before the Toyota AFL Grand Final, Crown Palladium is transformed by football mania as media, celebrities, the football fraternity and eager AFL fans all converge to make this the football lunch of the year.  A highlight of AFL Grand Final week, guests will be treated to a sumptuous three course meal with accompanying beverages, while enjoying entertainment including industry insights, stories from players past and present, and live performances.
Looking for a great hosting experience for clients?
Luxe Table Package
A hosting opportunity for $5,000 which includes a branded table of 10, $1,000 tax deductible donation receipt, 10x Car Raffle tickets, & a signed table football centrepiece.
Heart Table Package
The ultimate hosting opportunity for $10,000 which includes an upfront branded table of 10, $5,000 tax deductible donation receipt, 10x Car Raffle tickets, 10x Wine Wall tokens, 10x Variety branded footballs & a signed football table centrepiece.
If these packages are of interest, please contact our events team at events@varietyvic.org.au or phone 03 8698 3900 and select Option #5 for more information.
The 'why' behind this special event...
Funds raised from the Variety Toyota AFL Grand Final Lunch go directly towards the provision of Variety Sunshine Coaches for Victorian schools and community groups and support further individual and community grants delivering practical help for kids.
Variety Sunshine Coaches play a vital role in Variety's mission to support children with physical disabilities, regional limitations, or social disadvantages by providing much-needed transport to connect with their community, engage in programs, and enjoy various activities that may be otherwise inaccessible.
Our generous partners, supporters and attendees from last year's event helped us to surpass our fundraising goal so we could grant two Variety Sunshine Coaches to local specialist schools. This year we will be raising funds to grant another two Variety Sunshine Coaches to Victorian schools, so get ready to change even more kids lives together!
Annual Award Presentations
Tom Hafey Variety Heart of Football Award
Variety – the Children’s Charity presents the Variety Heart of Football Award to an AFL/AFLW player who has inspired us through his or her selfless actions and dedication to children. In honour of AFL legend and Variety supporter, the late Tom Hafey, the award was renamed the Tom Hafey Variety Heart of Football Award in 2014. Past recipients of the award include Scott Selwood, Robert Harvey, Eddie Betts, Emma Kearney and, most recently, Kate Darby in 2023.
Variety Young Sports Achiever Award
The Variety Young Sports Achiever Award is presented to a special young person who has overcome adversity to achieve an outstanding level of success in sport.
Last year we had the privilege of celebrating Charlee Lang, who was awarded the 2023 Variety Young Sports Achiever Award. At just 15 years old, Charlee is a gymnastics star with Down Syndrome, working hard to qualify for National selection in 2026 with dreams of attending the World Games in 2027.
Platinum Heart Partners
Gold Heart Partners
Silver Heart Partners
