THE LADIES LUNCHEON

The Ladies Luncheon began as a heartfelt vision by Sydney hotelier Harriet Waugh, who is committed to giving back through her and her husband Mitchell’s hospitality venture, PHMG.

Inspired by Harriet’s four-month stay at The Royal Hospital for Women during the premature birth of her first child, the Luncheon was born as a grassroots fundraising initiative—created not just in gratitude, but with purpose.

Since its inception, the event has raised more than $2.3 million for The Royal Hospital for Women Foundation, providing life-saving equipment and specialised care for mothers and newborns.

In 2019, Deborah Symond O’Neil joined the Ladies Luncheon as a co-host, bringing her signature elegance, influence, and generosity to the event. Together, Harriet and Deborah have cultivated a unique and powerful community of women who are passionate about giving back.

The duo is delighted to be joined by Madeline Holtznagel and Georgie Curran in presenting the 2025 Ladies Luncheon.

Today, the Ladies Luncheon is recognised as one of Sydney’s most exclusive charity events, attracting prominent media personalities, leading philanthropists, and high-profile supporters. But beyond the style and prestige lies something deeper: a movement of modern women using their platform and passion to make a lasting impact on the future of women’s and newborn health.

WHAT WE DO


The Ladies Luncheon is more than an annual event - it’s a catalyst for real and lasting impact in women’s and newborn healthcare.

Thanks to the generosity of our guests, sponsors, and supporters, the Luncheon has raised vital funds to support The Royal Hospital for Women in delivering world-class care, fuelling innovation, and improving outcomes for mothers and babies.

Over the past six years, funds raised have helped:

  • Equip the Newborn Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and Maternal Fetal Medicine (MFM) departments with specialised, state-of-the-art technology

  • Launch and grow new models of care, including the Hospital in the Home program - allowing babies to get home to their families sooner and improving unit capacity

  • Power groundbreaking research to improve health outcomes for women and newborns, including vital work in stillbirth prevention

This year’s Ladies Luncheon will help establish a first-of-its-kind Virtual Maternity Clinic, extending The Royal’s specialist care to women in rural and regional areas. Funds raised will go directly towards purchasing equipment needed to safely monitor high-risk pregnancies from home.

THE ROYAL HOSPITAL FOR WOMEN FOUNDATION


The Royal Hospital for Women Foundation is the charity for The Royal Hospital for Women and is dedicated to transforming the lifelong health of women and newborns - across New South Wales, throughout Australia, and beyond.

The annual Ladies Luncheon proudly joins the Foundation in its mission to lead advancements in women’s and newborn health. With the Foundation as our exclusive beneficiary, every dollar raised supports pioneering research, cutting-edge technology, and the ongoing pursuit of excellence in women’s and neonatal care - cementing our shared commitment to shaping the future of women’s health in Australia.

For more information on the Royal Hospital for Women Foundation click here.


2025 LUNCHEON


We are honoured to welcome Justin Hemmes’ Merivale as our Platinum Event Partner, with this year’s Ladies Luncheon to be hosted at Merivale’s iconic Mimi’s in Coogee on Thursday 4th September.

The 7th annual Ladies Luncheon will continue to raise vital funds for premature and critically-ill babies, expanding on lifesaving care, and enabling the only dedicated women's hospital in NSW to remain at the forefront.

We welcome all tax-deductable donations ahead of the event, with the following receiving acknowledgment on the day:

Gold - $20,000

Silver - $10,000

Bronze - $5,000


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     One of the lifesaving humidicribs funded through the Ladies Luncheon.

“Our mission is to transform the health of women and newborns, supporting thriving families. The community-driven support through the Ladies Luncheon has made an extraordinary difference at The Royal Hospital for Women, giving women and families the best of medical advancements and life-changing care.”

Elise Jennings – CEO, Royal Hospital for Women Foundation

PLATINUM EVENT PARTNER

GOLD EVENT PARTNERS

Thank you to our gifting partners who have supported the Ladies Luncheon over the years.