The art of the afterparty: Gary Peer’s 2025 end-of-year celebration
Some years end quietly. Others demand a proper send-off. Our 2025 earned the latter. It was a year marked by teamwork and considerable effort behind the scenes. So, of course, we wanted to celebrate accordingly! Enter South Melbourne’s Luminare, a packed dancefloor and a party that escalated quickly (and brilliantly). Here’s how it all unfolded.
It starts with the venue
From 6 pm, we took over Luminare – South Melbourne’s sleek, rooftop event space, featuring skyline views, polished interiors and just the right amount of wow.
It felt fitting for the Gary Peer team. Special, without feeling stiff. Elevated, but still very much made for a boogie.
Around 150 of us arrived, right on time, ready to celebrate. And the DJ did not waste time easing us in.
Soon enough, conversations turned into laughter. Laughter turned into dance. And before anyone really noticed it happening, the dancefloor filled. To the brim.
Cocktails and canapés first, questions later
What do Porn Star Martinis, Amaretto Sours, Espresso Martinis and Champagne have in common? They disappear quickly at a Gary Peer event.
And lucky for us, the bar didn’t slow down all night. Spirits, wine and beer flowed alongside a cocktail list that clearly knew its audience.
Food followed the same brief. Canapés made their way through the crowd, easy to pick up between conversations and perfect for nibbling on while standing or dancing.
And just when the night needed a little extra fuel? The late-night comfort food arrived. It was hot chips and sliders galore – exactly what we wanted (and needed).
All roads lead to Kylie
Just after 8.30 pm, without warning, Kylie Minogue took to the stage. Well, not the Kylie. But a very convincing impersonator.
It was glittery, it was joyful, and it was unmistakably Kylie.
Can’t Get You Out of My Head had the whole room singing. Spinning Around ignited the dancefloor. And when Padam Padam dropped? So did some pretty epic dance moves.
Just when we thought things couldn’t get any bigger, some indoor pyro kicked in mid-set. Because... why not?
By the time the DJ came back on, we were very much warmed up for what came next.
Going out with a bang
By around 9.45 pm, the night shifted gears again.
We were ushered outside for a group photo – a quick pause to get everyone together and capture the moment. The moment the fireworks kicked off, that is.
A burst of colour lit up the sky, and just like that, the night reached a whole new level.
So, with spirits high and smiles wide, we headed back inside – ready for whatever surprises were still to come.
Where disco meets divinity
Just when the room thought it had seen it all, Sunshine & Disco Faith Choir stepped in to lift the energy even higher.
Their signature blend of house, disco and techno – powered by a full gospel-inspired choir – brought a fresh, electric vibe that had the crowd moving from the very first note.
The music pulsed and the vocals soared. And because we weren’t done raising the bar, the indoor pyrotechnics made a comeback – lighting up the room as the beat dropped and the dancefloor packed in tighter.
Then, as if the night hadn’t already gone big, it finished even bigger. A confetti drop cascaded from the ceiling, sending a final shimmer through the crowd and sealing the night with a burst of colour and collective joy.
A fitting finale for 2025
By 11 pm, the music slowed, and we wrapped the night with tired feet and full hearts.
The verdict from the team was clear: the surprise performances hit the mark, and the fireworks and confetti were standout moments. But more than any single highlight, the night felt like a genuine reward for a huge year.
2025 was marked by growth. We welcomed new faces, hit big milestones and kept pushing forward in the ever-evolving market. Teams collaborated across departments like never before, and we navigated challenges with the famous grit and good humour that defines the Gary Peer spirit.
This party was a great finish to a great year. And we wouldn’t have had it any other way.
But the best is yet to come
So, what now?
We’re heading into 2026 with momentum – and every intention of keeping it going.
We’ll build on what worked, push for even greater collaboration across our teams and set our sights on bigger goals and bolder opportunities.
But, above all, we’ll carry our culture with us. That signature drive, energy and ambition – it’s not going anywhere.
And if 2025 is anything to go by, 2026 is already looking bright.
