The perfect excuse to taste some of the region's best wines

With the days of big charity fundraising dinners a distant pre-COVID-19 pandemic memory, raising funds for Canberra’s not-for-profit sector is a serious challenge even though our community’s needs have not diminished.

So Matt Farrah from Farrah’s Liquor Collective put on his creative thinking cap and came up with a novel way to raise funds for a charity close to his heart: Palliative Care ACT.

“With so many functions cancelled and everyone’s budgets a little tighter, spending a fortune on a seat at a dinner just isn’t a viable option at the moment,” he says. “So I tried to think of a fundraiser where people can have fun, get to take home some good things for themselves, and know they have supported an important service in our community.”

Matt’s idea is a special wine tasting event featuring a wide range of wine from the Canberra region and beyond. For a modest ticket price of $20 per person – that includes some delicious treats from Eat Your Words Catering – Matt will open more than a few bottles of Canberra’s finest for you to try.

As well as the net proceeds from ticket sales, Matt will generously donate 20 per cent of the price of any purchases on the day. The 20 per cent applies to any wine in the warehouse and is not limited to the varieties offered at the tasting.

“I have been involved with Palliative Care ACT for a number of years – it is a really important service,” says Matt. “End-of-life care is not something you think about until you need it. It is a service every Canberran family will be involved with at some stage and they are always there for us when we reach that stage in life.”

Palliative Care ACT offers end-of-life care in a range of settings: at home, in hospital, residential care facilities and at Canberra’s only hospice, Clare Holland House. All services offered by Palliative Care ACT are provided free of charge.

Palliative Care ACT chief executive Tracy Gillard says while many people find palliative care difficult to talk about, it is easy to support, particularly with a fun event such as the Palliative Care ACT and Farrah’s Liquor Collective Tasting Night on 21 April.

“Most of us have been involved with palliative care in some way,” she says. “Matt has been a long-time supporter of Palliative Care ACT and his ethos and the joy and spirit he brings to his work aligns well with our approach to our work.”

Tracy says Matt’s long-term support includes assisting with stock for the afternoon drinks trolley service at Clare Holland House.

“Our volunteers offer a small drink at 4:30 pm every day to our visitors and guests to relax and share together,” she says.

“Canberra’s business sector is always amazing with its support of Canberra’s charities, and we are so grateful to Matt for supporting us through this event.”

Matt says he is hoping to get 200 to 300 people to the tasting event on Wednesday, 21 April, from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Farrah’s Liquor Collective warehouse in Fyshwick.

“We are inviting everyone to come along to try a huge range of reds, whites, spirits and beer,” he says. “Anything you buy, Farrah’s Liquor Collective will give back 20 per cent of the sale to Palliative Care ACT.”

For more information, visit Palliative Care ACT and Farrah’s Liquor Collective.

Tickets for the Palliative Care ACT and Farrah’s Liquor Collective Tasting Night are $20 per person and include refreshments. You can purchase tickets here, or at the door on the night.

Original Article published by Karyn Starmer on The RiotACT.