Wharf4Ward 2025: Celebrities unite to raise funds for cancer youth charity

They may be opponents in the breakfast TV war, but Channel 7’s Matt Shirvington and his Nine counterpart Karl Stefanovic were the best of buds at the Wharf4Ward fundraiser.

Breakfast television rivalries were put to one side as some of Sydney’s biggest names came together to raise money for a special cause at the Wharf4Ward fundraiser on Thursday.

The Seven Sunrise crew was represented by co-host Matt Shirvington while Today’s Karl Stefanovic flew the flag for Nine, both hamming up the friendly rivalry that plays out in the TV ratings.

At one point, Stefanovic challenged former Olympic sprinter Shirvington to an impromptu run, much to the amusement of onlookers.

“In your face Shirvo, in your face,” Stefanovic joked as he claimed victory after just a couple of steps.

“I’ve known Shirvo for centuries, it feels like, and we were just having a chat about the toll the (early morning) hours can take but then you go, ‘hang on a second, we are not in a situation where we can complain, we are not sick, digging ditches, we are just talking s..t for hours, so it puts a lot of things into perspective,” Stefanovic said.

Karl Stefanovic and Sarah Abo. Picture: Thomas Lisson

Matt Shirvington (left) and Stefanoovic. Picture: Thomas Lisson

Human Nature performed at the Wharf4Ward event at Woolloomooloo. Picture: Thomas Lisson

The high-profile TV stars were among guests including Jules Robinson, Cam Merchant, Michael “Wippa” Wipfli, Ryan “Fitzy” Fitzgerald, Peter Overton, Richard Marx, Richard Wilkins, Ricki-Lee Coulter, Rodger Corser, Ronan Keating, Sally Bowrey, Sylvia Jeffreys, Caroline Gaultier, Krissy Marsh, Nicole O’Neil and Victoria Montano.

Wharf4Ward this year celebrated 15 years of its youth cancer initiative You Can, with the event raising more than $1.6 million for the Sony Foundation which funds programs that help regional youth and their families impacted by cancer.

Ryan Fitzgerald and Michael Wipfli. Picture: Thomas Lisson

Ricki-Lee Coulter was pretty in pink. Picture Thomas Lisson

Cam Merchant and Jules Robinson. Picture: Matrix Media Group

Rodger Corser. Picture: Matrix Media Group

Wharf4Ward was held across multiple restaurants at Woolloomooloo Wharf, with performances from the likes of Human Nature, grentperez, The Tierney Brothers and the cast of MJ The Musical.

“This is wonderful,” Stefanovic said, joined by co-host Sarah Abo.

“I have been coming here for a lot of years and it never ceases to amaze me how many people show up.

Caroline Gaultier. Picture: Matrix Media Group

Victoria Montano. Picture: Matrix Media Group

“The cause is important for families. Whenever you have anyone in your family who is sick, your world ends as you know it and you have got to try and rebuild.

“To have some sort of financial support and a village around you is the most important so I think it is a wonderful day.”

Shirvington said: “This is the most important thing because it is for youth, the people that are the most vulnerable in our community suffering, and if we can give them any level of comfort and support that makes their lives, their family’s lives and (the lives of) those around them just a little bit easier, it is a good thing.”