Founded over 30 years ago by Variety Life Member, Maureen Hafey OAM and her husband, Tom Hafey, the Variety Toyota AFL Grand Final Lunch is a Melbourne institution that has raised over $1.5million 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 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 accompany beverages while enjoying entertainment including industry insights, stories from players past and present and live performances. You will be sure to head home with something great from our live and silent auction. If you are the winner of our car raffle, you will be taking home a brand new KIA Sportage SX valued at nearly $40,000.

The 2023 Variety Toyota AFL Grand Final lunch will be fundraising to grant two Sunshine Coaches valued at over $300,000 to Victorian specialist schools who have been on our waiting list since 2016! The Variety Sunshine Coach Program provides accessible mini-buses and coaches to schools catering to children living with disability, regional or social disadvantage in Melbourne and Regional Victoria. Each coach, including specially modified to cater to students with disabilities, can carry between 12 to 20 students.

Tickets will sell out so be sure to get yours now. Single tickets are $260, or purchase a table of 10 for $2,500 and host clients, colleagues, family or friends. Seating allocations will be made closer to the event.

Event dress code is smart business. Jeans and t-shirts are not permitted.

Wednesday 27th September 2023

11:30am - 3:30pm

Palladium at Crown Melbourne

Variety - the Children’s Charity help kids living with disability, illness or experiencing disadvantage. Our work allows kids to gain mobility, to get out in the community, to communicate, achieve independence and increase self-esteem. Thanks to the financial support that Variety receives from supporters and partners we can make sure that kids who may miss out can join in.

We support through the provision of grants for a range of equipment.
We run programs to educate and empower kids that are falling through the cracks.
We give scholarships to encourage the talents of kids living with disability or experiencing disadvantage.
And most importantly, we hold kids’ events to bring joy, light and laughter to kids and their families.

Thank you for your continued support!