For over a decade, the Tuxedo Junction organising committee - all volunteers - have poured time, energy, and heart into making Tuxedo a success. With 14 events, upwards of 2,500 attendees, over 60 research grants funded, and $1.4 million raised for cancer research, Tuxedo Junction (supporting Cancer Council Victoria) has become a much-loved event of the function calendar in Melbourne.

At the heart of the Tuxedo story is a group of Old Xavs, who have leveraged their diverse skills, personal connections and shared values of being 'men for others' to fight the cancer cause.

The harsh reality is that all Australians have or will be impacted by cancer in some way. Current statistics indicate that one million people in Australia are currently living with or have lived with cancer.

By 2033, with increasing cancer rates, it is estimated that over 200,000 new cases will be diagnosed annually. If cancer hasn't touched your circle yet, the likelihood that it will remains high. Victoria is at the forefront of groundbreaking medical research. However, recent State government cuts to funding risk stifling world-class research, losing home-grown researchers, and missing opportunities to attract the best talent globally. We are at a perilous point where non-government funding is imperative to enabling our Doctors and Researchers to continue to make gains in the fight against cancer.

In 2006, Xavier Alum and Tuxedo co-founder Brett Bonser recalls the moment that these facts were brought front and center for his family. "My wife Kate came down the stairs and said, '…and now Rae's got cancer.'" It was the fourth such call they had received in a matter of weeks, but it was Rae's diagnosis that became the tipping point to motivate them both to want to do something to make a difference. "And so, over our regular Sunday morning coffee, the idea for Tuxedo Junction was born with an initial goal of raising $250,000 to fund cancer research."

With an extensive background in arts and entertainment, including roles with The Art Centre, Circus Oz and the Melbourne Comedy Festival, Kate was confident she could create a black-tie event like no other. Brett, co-founder of align.me, a B2B Marketing Agency, brought the commercial and marketing skills and business network (including many old Xavs) to the partnership.

Acore goal of Brett and Kate was ensuring the funds raised were directed into areas of research that would really make a difference. One of the first calls Brett made was to fellow Old Xav and Medal of the Order of Australia recipient Dr David Speakman. In his role as Chief Medical Officer at Peter McCallum Cancer Centre, David had his finger on the pulse of all the latest research trends and potential high impact projects.

As a cancer surgeon, David sees the impact of cancer every day and shared that one of the biggest influences of his career was a 20-year-old girl he met when he was a first-year consultant.

Megan had melanoma and never got to see her 21st birthday," he said. "Yet today, 25 years later, if a girl like her walks into the Peter McCallum Centre, and we don't treat her so that she gets to live a long, fulfilling life, then we would consider that a failure." He explained that medical research is so vital because it's the "building blocks that make a difference for people like Megan."

One of the attractions for David in lending his support to the Tuxedo Committee was all the funds raised go directly to researchers, without being siphoned off or reallocated for administrative and or operation purposes. Many of these researchers are our future stars, like grant recipient Dr Hendrika Duivenvoorden. Tuxedo funds are enabling them to expand their work and, in some cases, progress from research assistant roles to successful leadership positions.

Hear Hendrika's story here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nYrJ91GTZvA&t=5.

Tuxedo has also supported the researchers who are engaged in critical foundational science that other researchers rely on. These scientists, often overlooked, play a crucial role in the research ecosystem. The funds raised provide these scientists with the time and tools necessary to conduct this vital research.

Michael O'Dea is another Old Xav who has lent his support to event from the outset, impressed by the scale and transparency of Tuxedo Junction.

Having experienced the passing of both a young friend from throat cancer and his mother from a very rare form of NET cancer (Neuroendocrine Tumors), Mick was motivated to join the Tuxedo Committee. He also coordinated the O'Dea family to support a research grant in their mother's name, dedicated to the study of rare, forgotten cancers.

Leveraging his skills and networks in sales, marketing and events, Mick now focuses on driving sponsorship opportunities for the event. He encourages individuals and organisations to not only make a significant impact through grant donation, auction item donation and sponsorship, but also to enjoy a great night out.

Each committee member has a personal story motivating their involvement. Old Xav Richard Armstrong is no exception. He had seen various family members and close friends impacted by the disease, and seeing the great work his three friends were doing to help combat cancer inspired him to move from attending and supporting Tuxedo to becoming a fundraiser and committee member.

Through serving on the regional philanthropic committee of his international financial institution employer, he gained an insight into the charitable assessment processes of large organisations and how hard it is to manage the processes to release donation funds from them. Richard realised that he could add these skills in support of the fundraising goals of Tuxedo.

While Brett, David, Michael, and Richard have taken lead roles as committee members, hundreds of Old Xavs and their families have attended Tuxedo and/or made financial contributions. While Brett, David, Michael, and Richard have taken lead roles as committee members, hundreds of Old Xavs and their families have attended Tuxedo and/or made financial contributions.

You can book tickets and/or make a donation at https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1154999? or to find out more about the event, including other ways to support Tuxedo 2024, visit www.tuxedojunction.net.au. Contact Brett on 0418205153 to find out more.