Illawarra Police Charity Ball Unites Community for Worthy Causes

The Illawarra Police Charity Ball (IPCB) once again demonstrated the power of community spirit, with over 200 police officers, business leaders, and residents gathering at Wollongong’s Fraternity Club on July 12, 2025. Now in its 40th year (excluding COVID interruptions), the event raised over $20,000 for the McGrath Foundation’s cancer care nurses and NSW Police Legacy, continuing a tradition that has donated more than $500,000 to local charities since 1985. Major sponsor Nikolovski Lawyers kickstarter fundraising with a generous $10,000 contribution.

The evening blended philanthropy with celebration, featuring silent and live auctions offering unique experiences like a POL Air helicopter flight over Sydney Harbour and a ride with the Marine Area Command. Entertainment came from The Frocks band and the NSW Police Band, complemented by displays from the Mounted Unit and Traffic and Highway Patrol. Chief Superintendent John Klepczarek, IPCB Committee President, highlighted the event’s symbolic full-circle moment returning to The Fraternity Club where it began, now supporting McGrath Foundation nurses who fulfill founder Bev Lawson’s original vision for local cancer care.

Assistant Commissioner Joe Cassar APM (Australian Police Medal) emphasized the ball’s role in building positive police-community connections beyond crime-related interactions. “There’s no rank in the room tonight,” Cassar noted, praising the collaborative effort between law enforcement, businesses, and residents. The 2025 donations will assist the McGrath Foundation’s psychosocial support for cancer patients and NSW Police Legacy’s work with bereaved officer families, a cause close to attendees’ hearts following last year’s $18,000 fundraising success.

As the longest-running police charity ball in New South Wales (NSW), the IPCB continues its legacy of service, blending tradition with modern philanthropy. From Lawson’s pioneering 1985 initiative to this year’s record-breaking efforts, the event exemplifies how sustained community partnerships can create meaningful change. With plans already underway for next year’s ball, organizers prove that goodwill like good policing only grows stronger through consistent, collective effort.