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The inaugural Dainere’s Rainbow Halloween Trivia was a humble beginning to what will be a yearly event going forwards. Upon entering through the doors, trivia players were greeted by noise activated spooktacular characters, as well as staple decorative elements such as creepy cobwebs, scary skeletons and spiders, terrifying tape labelled ‘caution’, and more. The atmosphere would be incomplete without musical Halloween classics, so the speakers cried out the likes of ‘The Monster Mash’, ‘Thriller’, ‘Ghostbusters’ and more, which also added to the supernatural vibe. The Trivia itself was three rounds of quaint questions, as guests battled it out against one another to be crowned either the Halloween Trivia King or Queen (Congratulations to Phil, our inaugural Halloween Trivia King, whose win was foretold, as he was in fact, dressed like a King!). This spooktacular afternoon was followed by an assortment of delectable treats and meaningful conversation.

Bats, ghouls and screams aside, the Halloween Trivia held the weekend prior to October 31^st was to raise awareness and funds for childhood cancer. No child should have to endure such an insidious disease, and I am pleased to share with you all that our small coven of guests at the first Dainere’s Rainbow Halloween Trivia contributed towards raising a total of $165 – a massive heartfelt thank you to all who attended. Next year we will go creepier, kookier, mysterious-er, and spookier – so if you are a fan of Halloween (or even just Trivia in general), keep your eyes open on our social media in the lead up to October 2025, for the second Dainere’s Rainbow Halloween Trivia.

On a pleasant early Spring morning on 13th October, Dainere’s Rainbow were humbled and honoured to have a Stall at the ever growing and incredible Sutton Country Markets.

The selection of unique and beautiful items we had available were so generously made by a number of amazingly talented people:  Wendy Bushby, Patricia Arentz, Mark and Monique Windsor, family members and children with brain cancer.

We were able to raise significant awareness whilst there, with many people not aware that brain cancer kills more children than any other disease in Australia.  They were also not aware that children in Canberra and surrounding regions like Sutton are not able to be treated in Canberra Hospital instead have to be away from family and friends in Sydney.

People who purchased one, two or more of our beautiful items contributed to raising a meaningful $197.00 on the day.  One hundred percent (100%) of these funds has already gone to start working to help bring hope for children diagnosed with brain cancer.

Special mention and with endless and heartfelt gratitude to Sandie and Yolanda for inviting Dainere’s Rainbow have a stall.

In 2013 before Dainere lost her ability to verbally communicate and knowing that her time remaining here was very limited, I told her that I too wanted to raise awareness and funds like she had, as a legacy to her.

Dainere said “you can do a fun run because you are good at running and raise money by running in it”; the City2Surf was a race I had always wanted to compete in hearing about it from fellow runners and my coach at the time, and with the race held in Sydney – where Dainere was treated for her brain cancer, it felt like the perfect race to do so in.

Shortly after this conversation with Dainere, her cancer was taking more of her life away from her, seeing her lose the ability to speak. My fundraising page had opened prior to Dainere’s death in the June of 2013, and in that first year I received an ineffable amount of support, seeing me raise an incredible (and difficult to fathom, even to this day) $52,150.

Ten City 2 Surf runs later, the total I had raised was $90,136.11. Seeing the number just shy of $100,000 motivated me to aim to hit the 6-digit total for my 11th City 2 Surf run in memory of my little sister. Not only was the 2024 City2Surf my third fastest time on the course in the 11 years of competing, but I can proudly share with everyone that the goal has been met – I have now raised over $100,000 by myself from running in the City2Surf.

Although it is an absolutely grand achievement that I still cannot believe I have accomplished, I wanted to take this moment to thank every single person who made a donation to me in the last 11 City 2 Surf races as it was from your generosity and support that I can announce this. This sum of money not only goes towards fulfilling Dainere’s greatest wish – that a cure is found for childhood cancer – but it also supports the children and their families currently enduring the unfair battle of childhood brain cancer. Every single dollar goes towards finding new treatments and drugs, funding research and more so that the cure rate can improve – as nothing has changed in this field for over 4 decades.

Thank you again to everyone who has supported me along the way to this amazing achievement, be it through donating or sharing my story and fundraising page with others – you are all apart of this milestone. I cannot put into words just how I feel about this, it still feels like a dream! I look forward to continue raising even more as a legacy for Dainere through the City2Surf, and all the other events that Dainere’s Rainbow host and partake in. As Dainere said – “my little voice can only make a small difference, but together, many voices could create change”.

Something very special to announce for the 13th day of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.

Dainere’s Rainbow are extremely humbled and honoured to announce that we have the opportunity to be selected as the 12th charity partner of The Canberra Racing Club’s Canberra Community Chest Race Day.

To be held on Sunday, 24 November, the Canberra Community Chest will be run as a Quality Open Handicap over 1400m and $50,000 is to be shared between the 12 charity and community partners with a meaningful connection to the Canberra region.

Entry is free to this event.

We would be ever so grateful if you would consider voting for Dainere’s Rainbow and sharing this information with all your family, friends, work colleagues and neighbours. You can help make an incredible positive impact for children in Canberra and surrounding regions diagnosed with brain cancer.

https://thoroughbredpark.com.au/canberra-community-chest

The 2024 City2Surf was my eleventh time fundraising in honour of my little sister, Dainere.

This year saw me achieve my third fastest time in the gruelling 14kms starting from the city in Sydney, finishing at Bondi in 51:03.

Though running is something I am passionate about and therefore always aim to run personal best times, the City2Surf for me, is first and foremost about raising money for Dainere’s Rainbow in conjunction with Sydney Children’s Hospitals Foundation.

I could write paragraph after paragraph breaking down the feelings on the start line, the race tactics, and bringing it in faster at the end of the race, however, I instead would like to share that I am just $1080 off raising a total of $100,000 across all the City2Surf races I’ve completed so far.

My donation page is still active, and this is similar to that final stretch in a race – I can see the goal in sight, so very close! Every single dollar donated and share of the fundraising page brings me ever closer to that finish line where I raise $100,000 across eleven City2Surf races for Dainere.

Please help me achieve this amazingly large step towards bringing Dainere’s greatest wish to life – no child should have to suffer with brain cancer, and you can help make this important difference.

https://city2surf24.grassrootz.com/schf/jarrett-anthoney..

We would also like to express our most heartfelt, humble and endless gratitude to the extraordinary Mark Scarborough, Nicole Scarborough and Diane Biaggini, who were absolute champions in taking on the gruelling and challenging 14km City2Surf course and raising vital awareness and funds as part of Sydney Children’s Hospitals Foundation Team and Dainere’s Rainbow.  Mark raised an impressive $310.00, Nicole very kindly raised $122.00 and Diane was a legend raising $604.00.  Every single dollar they raised is helping bring hope and create change for children in Canberra and the surrounding areas, and all across Australia diagnosed with brain cancer.

Join us on Sunday 13th October at 2pm at Gungahlin College Theatre and help us bring hope for children diagnosed with brain cancer in Canberra and around Australia.

With heartfelt gratitude to Dramatic Productions who are again donating 10% of all ticket sales of this show to Dainere’s Rainbow.

Little Shop of Horrors is a hilarious comedy rock musical about a meek and mild florist shop assistant, Seymour Krelborn, who raises a blood eating, R&B singing, foul-mouthed plant he names Audrey II, after the co-worker he is secretly in love with.

The plant promises him that his dreams of fame, fortune and marrying Audrey, will come true if he just keeps feeding the plant. But little does Seymour know, Audrey II has its own plans!

Little Shop of Horrors was one of the longest-running Off-Broadway hits, that’s has been delighting audiences all around the world for decades.

Don’t miss this fun, funny and rocking adventure!

When you buy your tickets 10% of the ticket sale will go to Dainere’s Rainbow and you can also buy Pay-It-Forward tickets for $25.

https://www.stagecenta.com/bkshowbooking.aspx?showid=8707&theatreid=1132

The Group One Decades Gala Dinner, celebrating ten years of the Dainere’s Rainbow Fund, continuing the extremely inspiring work of the extraordinary Dainere Anthoney, was held at the Ainslie Football and Social Club on Saturday 14^th June 2024.

Walking into the Ainslie Football and Social Club embarking the climb up the stairs to the function space, large silver balloons floated gently marking ten, twenty, thirty, forty, fifty, sixty, seventy, eighty and ninety creating a feel of passing through time.  As one walked closer to the double entrance doors, there was a display of all the Gala Dinner posters over the years, now that brought back some fabulous memories and on the television screens across from that was images of a multitude of smiling faces, a visual masterpiece of past events and beside that the moving and poignant story of Dainere.

At the Entrance to the function space there was none other than Marilyn Monroe and Taylor Swift (cardboard versions), displayed near these two iconic women was an elegant and very clear table numbers and names of guests, there were a little under two hundred guests attending on the evening, not too bad given the cost-of-living crisis we are all facing.  The Canberra Community and beyond have enormous hearts when it comes to supporting others.

The doors opened to reveal a spectacularly decorated room, the first thing capturing a guest’s attention was the shimmering gold decades wall, by Meraki Events Canberra, which provided the perfect opportunity to capture those serious, fun and totally unusual group photographs.  Beside this were the bright and bubbly Graceful Rose Parties duo of Deirdre and Grace who were twisting and shaping totally magnificent balloons for guests and then busily sketching was the talented and creative Chris from Cartoons by Chris, who perfectly captured guests on A3 paper for them to take home.  Then a wonderful surprise, Jarrett (Dainere’s Brother), was there with his Jackson V Guitar and looking very dapper playing instrumental guitar pieces that he composed himself, a very talented young man.

Speaking of the guests, so many went to the most extraordinary effort in dressing up from their favourite decade, there was something from just about every decade which really added to the atmosphere of the event.  The table numbers were colourful Dainere’s Rainbow artwork records and the table centrepieces which were created by Meraki Events Canberra, actually had genuine LP records and adorned by flowers.

The photographer for the evening Corinne from Red Fox Photography was snapping shots of guests as they arrived and received their pre-dinner drinks and was here, there and everywhere throughout the evening and the photographs were nothing short of magical and phenomenal.  A guest from every table were also fortunate enough to receive a mini session with Red Fox Photography as a lucky door prize.  Now that is just astounding!

The MC for the evening was none other than the experienced, comical and fabulous Michael Bower, who really is the best in the business and being a Celebrant as well, he has even married some of the guests over the years (not at the event, but perhaps that could be on the cards).

The evening kicked off with the extremely talented and energetic young dancers aged eight to seventeen from Play The Dance Agency, they captured the guest’s attention with their skill and also the choice of music YMCA, Footloose and more.  As they left the building for the evening, they received cheers and prolonged applause.

Dr Sumanth Nagabushan was the distinguished guest speaker and he spoke so humbly and with such passion, he had every guest’s full attention as he spoke about how important the funds raised at Dainere’s Rainbow events are making an impact. It is so encouraging to hear this as one hundred percent of all funds raised at Dainere’s Rainbow events go directly to working to bring hope and create change for every child diagnosed with brain cancer in Canberra and around Australia.

There was a wonderful assortment of Live and Silent Auction items available, giving everyone an opportunity to bid on something.  The raffle prizes were aimed at helping with the cost of living with the first prize being $1000 cash.  The ultimate Live Auction Prize was an exclusive and rare opportunity to cruise the Sydney Harbour the luxurious 85ft Toro yacht.

Big Boss Groove entertained the guests with some of their more mellow numbers during main course, the impressive nine-piece band, horns and all, had guests wanting to get up and dance as soon as their delicious meal was eaten.

It was then time for what has become part of the entertainment, the gratitude speech by the ‘dynamic duo’ of John the fund Patron and Mark the fund Ambassador, who enthralled the guests with a speech that cleverly embraced the decades.  Group One Pty Ltd, Simeco Pty Ltd, DC Flooring Specialists Pty Ltd and Transit Graphics recognised and acknowledged as the event Partners as well as all the Community Partners and others who helped create such a memorable evening.

Stephen, Yvonne, Nalani (with her gorgeous little daughter Ebony) and Jarrett, shared stories of Dainere from how she first started fundraising, her books as her starlight wish and to help others, her passion to raise awareness and funds through planning City2Surf with Jarrett and the Inaugural Gala Dinner where two hundred and ninety-one guests fitted into a room meant for just two hundred and fifty, so great was the impact Dainere made on others and continues to.

There was one last surprise and that was Jarrett invited up on stage to play the Bon Jovi favourite Livin’ on a Prayer, which was definitely a crowd pleaser, even cardboard ‘Taylor Swift’ got on the dancefloor for this one. Guests filled the dancefloor as Big Boss Groove brought out all the cover band favourites and more over the decades for the rest of the evening, as guests were singing, dancing and celebrating a memorable evening and raising vital awareness and crucial funds for children with brain cancer.

*Images from the event are available through a link sent to the person who organised your table.  Please remember to credit Red Fox Photography if sharing any images.

The Dainere’s Rainbow Team are so humbled and proud of being able to support oncology families at Sydney Children’s Hospital.  We have been donating very special Teddy Bear Friends to help children through some of the most difficult times during their treatment.

As you know Dainere, during her treatment had her very special bear friend ‘Theodore’ with her, he could go where we were not able to, and brought her comfort.  He still remains tightly in her arms today.

This is a meaningful expression of gratitude from the Child Life Therapy Team, who have been giving the bears to the children.

“The bears were a beautiful gift to give out to our Oncology patients on our inpatient ward and outpatient clinic.

We gave them to children as a distraction while having their chemo, as well as an incentive for patients who had their ports accessed and dressings changed.

Receiving a toy bear brought smiles to many of the patients and brightened the routine task of coming to clinic and meeting with medical staff.

 We look forward to handing out more of the bears, thanks to your kind donation.”

On a splendiferous Autumn Sunday in Canberra on 3rd March 2024, Dainere’s Rainbow were honoured and grateful to have been chosen as a Charity Partner for Tennis ACT Girls Get Active Day and have an awareness stall.

This event was meaningful as Dainere, was a devoted athlete, competing as an AWD athlete at Athletics ACT competitions and represented her school, Burgmann Anglican School at Zone and ACT levels.  She also competed in school cross country.

She was awarded U16 ACT AWD Athlete of the Year in 2012-13, teaching and inspiring others to never give up, you are a winner by simply having a go and there are no obstacles to competing in and enjoying sport.

At the Girls Get Active Day we were able to speak to a wide variety of people about Dainere, her sporting achievements, childhood brain cancer and the work that we do to make a difference for the Canberra Community.

As Dainere had a special love for teddy bears, her favourite being Theodore, those who visited the stall were given their own special friend to be with them and perhaps help them with their sporting endeavours.

We sold several of Dainere’s and Jarrett’s books on the day and raised $222.55 which goes directly to the vital research projects and programs set up as a legacy and in memory of Dainere.

With our heartfelt gratitude to all who visited the stall on the day and took the time to learn more about childhood brain cancer, Dainere and the fund.  We also wish to express our endless and sincere gratitude to both CBR Massge for suggesting Dainere’s Rainbow as a Charity for the event and to Tennis ACT for having us there.

We are truly humbled, grateful, and overjoyed to announce that the Dainere’s Rainbow Team were able to give the truly special and meaningful gift of hope to every child diagnosed with brain cancer in Canberra and all around Australia through our Christmas Lights and Stalls, elevating significant and impactful awareness and raising a phenomenal total of $2593.40.

The annual Dainere’s Rainbow Christmas Lights in 2023, was eleven (11) years of giving the Community the gift of joy, love, light and hope whilst raising awareness and funds for children diagnosed with brain cancer.

After losing many lights of the past few years there were some special and captivating new additions; which many of the visitors to the lights were in awe of and thought were extraordinary, they were also surprised and enjoyed photographic opportunities with Santa and the sleigh on the porch.  There was a wonderful surprise for all those who visited and took the time to walk up to view the lights of a teddy bear to bring cuddles for years to come, this simple act brought so much joy to our visitors hearts.

We must make special mention of the absolutely extraordinary Brad, Julie and Brayden, whose magnificent and alluring Christmas Lights shone brightly in Ngunnawal and their act of incredible kindness for having a collection tin with donations to go to Dainere’s Rainbow at his display.

In 2023 we were also able to have the spectacular stalls, which were also Dainere’s creation and something she put numerous hours into and ourselves with the help of some utterly amazing, creative, and caring people. Several families with beaming smiles, took home items to treasure, including Anthony Christmas Bear Book by Jarrett Anthoney, a Book and Bag Pack, Christmas Candle Holders, Clothing, Cushions, Cards, toys, games, craft kits, ornaments, household items, collectables or jewellery knowing that they had contributed to making a difference and bringing the gift of hope for Christmas.

We wish to extend our most heartfelt and sincere gratitude to several people: Patricia for her most stunning handmade Christmas Cards; Monique, Mark and Annie and Ellen for the beautiful brand new/unused/unwanted items to sell; Bron for the beautiful rainbow earrings, Alba for her gorgeous Christmas Craft, Wendy for her delightful handmade items, Ruby Red Christmas for their splendiferous Christmas Ornaments, Amy for several incredible items, John, Bernadette, Anabelle and Madeleine for their decorations for the display and to those in the Community who visited the lights, purchased from the stalls, made a coin donation and those who wanted to learn more and how they could help raise more awareness.

Together we can continue to bring hope and create change for children diagnosed with brain tumours and one day see Dainere’s greatest wish in life of a cure become a reality.

We hope to see you again and raise even more awareness and funds for Christmas 2024.