St Thomas Aquinas College | Charity Dinner Auction 2026, VIC
A Night of Community, Celebration & Giving Back: St Thomas Aquinas College Charity Dinner Auction 2026
Written by Chel Nash
La Bella Wedding Umbrellas
16 September 2026
At La Bella Wedding Umbrellas, we love seeing our umbrellas become part of something bigger than a wedding day.
Sometimes they become a special gift for a newly engaged couple. Sometimes they are there to keep a wedding party dry on a rainy afternoon. And sometimes, they become part of a community fundraiser helping create better opportunities for children and families.
In September 2026, we were delighted to support St Thomas Aquinas College in Tynong, Victoria through their annual Charity Dinner Auction.
Supporting St Thomas Aquinas College
Earlier in the year, a representitive of the school contacted La Bella Wedding Umbrellas to invite us to support the St Thomas Aquinas College's 2026 Charity Dinner Auction.
The school was celebrating its 29th year, with many of its regional facilities being original and in need of ongoing investment.
It was explained that the annual dinner auction plays an important role in helping the College maintain and improve its facilities, while also supporting families within the school community who are experiencing financial difficulties.
We were very happy to contribute.
Rather than donating just one prize, La Bella Wedding Umbrellas donated three wedding couple umbrella sets, representing each of our three wedding umbrella ranges:
This gave guests at the auction the opportunity to discover La Bella Wedding Umbrellas at different price points while also contributing to an important fundraising event.
A Charity Dinner With a Community at Its Heart
The St Thomas Aquinas College Charity Dinner Auction was held on Saturday 5 September 2026 at Pakenham Racecourse.
What started as an annual fundraising dinner turned into a record-breaking evening for the College community.
And what a result they achieved!
The 2026 event welcomed:
- 250 guests
- 150 Australian business donors
- and raised an incredible: $76,000!
We were thrilled to hear these wonderful stats following the event!
Helping Students and Improving the School
The funds raised through the evening will go towards two particularly important areas for the St Thomas Aquinas College community.
Supporting the School Bursary
Part of the funds will help support the College's school bursary, providing assistance to families who are experiencing financial difficulties.
For a school community, this kind of support can make a meaningful difference in helping students continue to participate in their education and school life.
A New Primary School Playground
The fundraising will also contribute towards replacing the College's 30-year-old primary school playground.
After three decades of use, the opportunity to provide students with a new playground will be a wonderful investment in the children who attend the College today and those who will follow in the years ahead.
Three Wedding Umbrella Sets for Three Very Different Couples
We were particularly pleased to donate three sets from across La Bella's Wedding Umbrella ranges.
Wedding umbrellas are often purchased with a very specific wedding vision in mind: whether that means elegant white umbrellas for a bridal party, practical protection for an outdoor ceremony or something beautiful that can be kept and used long after the wedding day.
By donating a set from our Budget, Value and Premium couple collections, we were able to offer auction guests a glimpse into the different options available through La Bella.
And, of course, there was a little extra gift for the wider St Thomas Aquinas community too.
We also created an exclusive 20% discount code for St Thomas Aquinas College attendees, families, parishioners and couples.
The code does not expire, allowing the College community to continue accessing the discount beyond the auction itself.
A Record-Breaking Night
There is something particularly special about fundraising when an entire community gets behind it.
The final result of $76,000 raised was made possible through the combined efforts of the St Thomas Aquinas College community, the Parents & Friends Committee, businesses, donors, guests and everyone who contributed to making the evening such a success.
With 150 Australian businesses donating to the event, it was also a wonderful example of businesses coming together to support their local communities.
We were very proud that La Bella Wedding Umbrellas could be one of them.
Thank You, St Thomas Aquinas College
A huge thank you to Faye, the St Thomas Aquinas College Parents & Friends Committee and everyone involved in organising the 2026 Charity Dinner Auction.
We are incredibly grateful for the opportunity to contribute three wedding umbrella sets and to be included among the Australian businesses supporting the evening.
Most importantly, we are delighted to hear that the fundraiser will help support families through the school bursary and contribute towards a new playground for the College's primary students.
Congratulations on an incredible $76,000 fundraising result - and on breaking three records in one night!
We are proud to have played a small part in helping make the evening possible, and we wish the St Thomas Aquinas College community every success with the exciting projects ahead.
Thank you for allowing Clifton Australia to be part of your night!
St Thomas Aquinas College
St Thomas Aquinas College is a regional Catholic school in Tynong, Victoria, providing education and community support for students and families across the surrounding area. With a strong connection to its local parish and community, the College works to provide a welcoming environment for students while continuing to develop its facilities, student support programs and opportunities for families in need.