Sydney Fairwater Reception : 9 March 2006

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The 2006 ‘Fairwater’ Reception took place, once again on a beautiful and balmy evening, on the 9 th March hosted by His Excellency Declan Kelly, Ambassador of Ireland to Australia and Mrs. Kelly, as guests of Lady Mary Fairfax AC, OBE at Fairwater, her beautiful Sydney home, .

Amongst the 96 attendees, who were entertained by a string quartet from the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, were the Consul General of Ireland, Pat Scullion and Vice Consul Louise Kelly, United States Consulate Representative Suzanne Lawrence, Australian Ireland Fund Chairman Charles Curran AO and Directors of the Australian Ireland Fund Kathryn Greiner AO, Dr. Tom Moore, Cameron O’Reilly, Pierce Cody, Jane and Peter Cosgrove, Ron Porter, Peter Ryan and Briege Tuite.

The evening provided an opportunity for Chairman Charles Curran AO to give an update to attendees of the latest funding achievements, whereby The Australian Ireland Fund had its highest ever grant round of $675,000 supporting 14 projects through the generous support of our donors and our wonderful sponsors.

Further, Chairman Charles Curran AO stressed the necessity to continue the good work, in spite of the progress being made since the ‘Peace Accord’ of 1998.

He told of his visit with Directors Jack O’Mahony, Ted Johnson, and Executive Director Teresa Keating to the Speedwell Trust, which brings together Catholic and Protestant children through study of the physical environment, and meeting with The Reverend Bill Shaw of 174 Trust, where our grant enables the continuation of work on the Community Hall which houses up to 800 people per week, and was renamed ‘Australia House’ in recognition of our support.

Chairman Charles Curran AO also told of progress in the Integrated Education Fund in Northern Ireland. Leadership was provided for this initiative by the gracious donation of $1,000,000 by Lady Mary Fairfax AC, OBE, then supported by a donation from the United States of America for a further $1,000,000 to set up a three year joint communication and lobby strategy to press Government for changes in integrated education in Northern Ireland.

Thanks once again goes to our sponsors and supporters for their continuing and generous support including our Corporate Governors, APN News and Media (Brendan Hopkins) and QANTAS, together with our major sponsors Mercedes-Benz, Australian Radio Network (Bob Longwell), Globecast, the Classic Safari Company (Julie McIntosh), Chateau de Beauregard, Sydney Opera House, Guinness, Maureen McCarthy, the O’Brien Family, all Governors and Benefactors.