The 2024 William Buck Invitational Table Tennis tournament held last Friday, 27 September, at the ANU Sports Centre raised $75,000 for the Ricky Stuart Foundation. Now in its third year, the event has raised more than $240,000, supporting individuals living with autism and their families.
This year’s tournament brought together approximately 40 local businesses and over 170 attendees for a day of table tennis and street food, all in the name of a good cause. With the support of all participants and sponsors, including platinum sponsor Englobo, the event reinforced its growing presence on Canberra’s corporate calendar.
The funds raised will go directly to the Ricky Stuart Foundation’s third major project, aimed at, providing vital housing and respite care for families in need. The Foundation was created after Ricky Stuart’s daughter Emma was diagnosed with autism at age 11 and continues to be a beacon of support for families navigating the complexities of autism care.
Ricky Stuart Foundation CEO Miranda Garnett expressed her gratitude and said this event made a huge difference in the lives of the people they support.
“We are incredibly grateful for the ongoing support we’ve received from the William Buck Invitational. The funds raised will make a huge difference in helping us continue our work, providing housing and independent living for individuals living with a disability. This event has become a vital source of funding for our projects, and we cannot thank the community enough,” said Miranda.
With a lively atmosphere featuring Peruvian dishes from popular favourite Mr.Papas and craft brews from CaraVan Morrison, the event fostered a sense of camaraderie while raising funds for a worthy cause.
Domenic De Marco, Partner at William Buck and the driving force behind the tournament expressed his pride in the event’s continued growth.
“In just three years, the tournament has raised over $240,000 for the Ricky Stuart Foundation, and that’s something we’re incredibly proud of. This year’s event was a testament to how much our community can achieve when we come together. Most of our sponsors are repeat sponsors, including Englobo, which has been a platinum sponsor from day one. Thank you to all the businesses, participants and sponsors who made this day such a success,” said Domenic.
The William Buck Invitational has become more than just a sporting event—it’s a powerful example of how corporate involvement can bring real change to the community.
Greg Travers, Managing Partner at William Buck, said he was proud to be able to support this initiative.
“At William Buck, supporting our community is central to who we are. The success of this year’s event and the $75,000 raised for the Ricky Stuart Foundation highlights the importance of businesses giving back to the communities that they are part of. We’re proud to be able to support such an important initiative, and we look forward to continuing this tradition in the years to come,” he said.
