Red Takes the Lead at 2025 Epworth Race Day: A Day of Glamour, Generosity, and Groundbreaking Healthcare Support

Flemington Racecourse, Melbourne — A sea of red gowns and designer hats, set against the breathtaking backdrop of Flemington Racecourse, marked the 2025 Epworth Race Day, a standout event in Melbourne’s calendar. Hosted in the prestigious Skyline Room, this year’s affair wasn’t just a celebration of racing glamour; it was a powerful fundraiser driving critical support for Epworth Hospital’s acquisition of advanced endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) technology. With life-saving implications for detecting and treating pancreatic and gastrointestinal cancers, the day’s cause was as urgent as it was important.

A Touch of Red: Where Fashion Meets Philanthropy

The day was a visual feast, with ladies draped in crimson gowns and adorned in couture headpieces. The theme, “A Touch of Red,” set the tone, inspiring a crowd filled with philanthropists, healthcare leaders, and guests eager to make a difference. As the event unfolded, it became clear that this wasn’t just another social gathering — it was a chance to come together for a cause that had the potential to save lives.

The energy in the Skyline Room reached a fever pitch as guests mingled, with conversations turning from fashion and racing to the evening’s true purpose: raising funds for a medical innovation that could transform the way doctors detect and treat cancer.

A Broadway Surprise and the Rhythm of Giving

At precisely 4:00 PM, the event took an unexpected turn. A Broadway-style performance, featuring former Aladdin Disney star Mike Snell, electrified the crowd in an unforgettable show of talent and spontaneity. Guests were swept away by the energy, singing and dancing in a moment that transcended a traditional charity event.

The performance featured a brass band playing to a disco beat — a race day first that captured the joy and exuberance of the gathering. Snell’s Mike’s Entertainment production company, known for bringing the glitz and glamour to events at Crown Casino, Birdcage gatherings, and Sydney’s glittering balls, elevated the Epworth Race Day into something truly spectacular.

This surprise performance was just one of many highlights that kept the crowd engaged, helping build momentum for the evening’s key fundraising initiatives.

Auctions and Raffles: Giving Big, Giving Bold

The fundraising drive was anchored by a series of both silent and live auctions, with crowd favourite Nicholas Brooks of Marshall White at the helm. As guests bid on exclusive items, the atmosphere became charged with competitive spirit and a shared sense of commitment to Epworth’s vision.

A major highlight was the high-stakes raffle, which featured luxury prizes such as an exquisite Hermès diamond Kelly watch, a Valentino handbag, and a stunning diamond tennis bracelet. The draw was met with anticipation, and the winning tickets were joyfully announced by Kris Greenwood and Elias Stamas of GJK Facility Services, bringing an extra layer of excitement to an already thrilling event.

But it wasn’t just the glamour of the prizes that captured the room — it was the knowledge that these contributions would make an enormous impact on the lives of people battling pancreatic and gastrointestinal cancers.

A Leader in Pancreatic Care Speaks Out

The event’s significance was amplified by the presence of Associate Professor Andrew Metz, Director of the Jreissati Pancreatic Centre at Epworth and Director of Endoscopy at The Royal Melbourne Hospital. Professor Metz’s international reputation as a leader in pancreatic disease and interventional endoscopy added an authoritative voice to the evening’s cause.

As a Cambridge-trained gastroenterologist and interventional endoscopist, Professor Metz spoke passionately about the critical role of endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) in revolutionizing cancer care. EUS, a minimally invasive imaging tool, is crucial for early cancer detection, enabling quicker diagnoses, fewer surgeries, and faster recoveries. His leadership in pioneering this technology has already begun to reshape how Australia approaches cancer care, and he is a key investigator in groundbreaking clinical trials focused on early detection and novel treatment approaches.

Professor Metz’s words resonated deeply with the audience, who understood that their contributions were directly supporting the acquisition of this transformative technology. His role in advancing clinical practices and his dedication to improving outcomes for those affected by cancer underscored the importance of Epworth’s mission.

Philanthropy with Purpose: The Visionary Stamas Family

The event was proudly sponsored by George Stamas AM, Founder and Executive Chair of GJK Facility Services, and his wife, Jaqui Maree Stamas, a respected philanthropist and community leader. Together, this visionary couple has been instrumental in supporting philanthropic initiatives that make a tangible difference in people’s lives.

Jaqui’s passion for social impact, particularly in areas such as hospital innovation and housing for vulnerable women, was evident throughout the day. As Vice Chair of the Epworth Medical Foundation, she has long advocated for improving healthcare resources, making the day’s mission deeply personal. Her leadership and unwavering compassion inspired many in the room to open their hearts and their wallets, creating a sense of unity and shared responsibility.

In many ways, George and Jaqui Stamas have set a standard for philanthropy, proving that impactful change is not only possible but within reach when communities come together for a common cause.

A Community United in Purpose

As the event drew to a close, it was evident that the 2025 Epworth Race Day had achieved something truly special. It wasn’t just a day of racing fashion, luxury prizes, and world-class entertainment; it was a day that raised substantial funds to support life-saving medical technology, transforming the future of cancer care in Australia.

The tireless work of the Epworth Medical Foundation, along with the unwavering commitment of the Epworth Hospital team, ensured that the event was not only a visual success but an overwhelming philanthropic triumph. It was a reminder that when community, creativity, and compassion align, extraordinary things can happen.

Make a Difference Today

The success of the 2025 Epworth Race Day stands as a testament to the power of collective effort — but the mission is far from over. Continued community support is essential to help equip Epworth Hospital with the life-saving technology it needs to change outcomes for countless patients.

For further insights or media inquiries about the 2025 Epworth Race Day, its fundraising achievements, or upcoming healthcare initiatives supported by GJK, you may reach via info@gjkfacilityservices.com.au or visit GJK Facility Services.

Because when we come together — in red, in purpose, and in generosity — extraordinary change isn’t just possible. It’s inevitable.