Stanthorpe’s signature event is on again.

The Opera in the Vineyard, run by the Stanthorpe Rotary Club and Ballandean Estate, is on Sunday, 30 April, and The Wesley Hospital will again be a major beneficiary for the event.

The Stanthorpe Rotary Club has been supporting The Wesley Hospital for 25 years through the Opera, raising a total of $330,000 for patients at the not-for-profit hospital, which is owned by the Uniting Church and operated by UnitingCare Health. The most recent donations went towards supporting the hospital’s palliative care service.

Rotary Club president Stephen Tancred said he was proud to be involved in the club’s biggest event of the year. All of the club’s 42 members, as well as partners, children and friends would pitch in to help the day run smoothly.

“It’s going to be a great, fun day out and you’re able to help others just by attending and contributing small amounts of fundraising. It’s like nothing you will ever experience in the city – stunning scenery, good wine, great music, and wonderful people to interact with.”

The Wesley Hospital Acting General Manager Rob Wise said the hospital was grateful for the longstanding support of the Rotary Club.

“The generosity of the Stanthorpe Rotary Club over the past 25 years has been invaluable,” Mr Wise said. “The money raised has enabled us to continue providing our patients with high quality palliative care. It makes a huge difference to these patients and their families.”

Rotarian and Opera ticket co-ordinator Leeanne Gangemi said Opera was a special event for the community.

“I don’t think anyone thought it would go for this long,” she said. “It is like a big reunion each year with many guests returning again and again, supporting our charities and catching up with friends.”

Ballandean Estate Wines owner Angelo Puglisi said it was nice to know that the hard work of everyone involved had positively impacted many people.

“We have given to many charity organisations over the past 25 years and we have had first hand experience with the benefits of this, with friends and family needing to use some of the services we have supported.”

This year’s Opera in the Vineyard features Australian Opera stars Emma Matthews and David Hobson.

For more information or to book tickets, go to https://www.ballandeanestate.com/operainthevineyard.aspx