Melbourne Gala Luncheon : 22 April 2007 

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Over 220 guests and supporters attended our Melbourne Gala Luncheon at Zinc at Federation Square in Melbourne overlooking the Yarra River.   Guests were greeted with music by The Fitzgeralds who treated us to traditional and contemporary Irish songs.

Guests supped on Katnook Estate Wines from South Australia and feasted on housemade ravioli filled with quail and mushroom duxelle, Mediterranean chicken followed by pear and chocolate Tart and Irish coffees and Carolans Irish cream courtesy of Suntory.

There were squeaks of laughter and delight as the wonderful Ardal O’Hanon the star of the Fr. Ted television series entertained guests after lunch.   We were thrilled to have Ardal’s family present, wife Melanie and children Emily, Rebecca and Redmond.

Mary Waldron our luncheon chair and Director then introduced director Kevin Luscombe AM who gave an update on the activities of the Australian Ireland Fund and the projects of integrated education we are supporting in Northern Ireland including Rowallane.   Ambassador Máirtín ÓFainín then gave us an update on the peace process in Northern Ireland and the political state of affairs there.  The Ambassador also thanked our supporters on behalf of the Government and people of Ireland and encouraged our supporters to stay with us as there is much more work to be done.

The Live Auction was lively and entertaining in the style we have become accustomed to by Gerald Delany of Kay & Burton.   The Hamilton Island and Jetstar package was purchased by Bianca Franklin; Lot 2 A day at the Australian Tennis open courtesy of Spotless was purchased by Graeme Chipp.  Lot 3 A day at Flemington Races courtesy of Globecast Australia and Mike Lattin was purchased by Mary O’Shea; Lot 4 The Qantas Business Class tickets to Europe, Accommodation by Tourism Ireland, Car Hire by Avis and flights to Ireland by Aer Lingus were purchased by Peter Sjoquist of the Global Rock Challenge; Lot 5 a cruise on the stunning 60ft Yacht “Sydney” courtesy of Chairman Charles Curran AC was purchased by David Murphy; Lot 6 a fully catered cocktail party for 100 at Level 89 Eureka Tower, set to be Melbourne’s most spectacular event space courtesy of Level 89, Eureka Tower and Brendan and Paul O’Brien, was purchased by Terry Scanlon;  Lot 7 A Friday night game at the MCG courtesy of Spotless was purchased by David Browne & Ted Johnson.

Guinness flowed throughout the day courtesy of Chris Shine & PJ O’Briens Southbank, Brendan and Paul O’Brien. 

An entertaining and fun day was had by all – while assisting us to support so many our projects

Rowallane Integrated College; Northern Ireland Children’s Enterprise; 174 Trust; The Speedwell Trust; Tara Counselling and Personal Development Centre, YouthAction Northern Ireland;  SoundHouse an Australian initiative; Rock Challenge; The Chair of Modern Irish Studies University of New South Wales; Hazelwood Integrated Primary School; Armagh Integrated College; Drumlins Integrated Primary; Phoenix Integrated Primary; Roe Valley Integrated Primary; Groomsport Integrated Primary; Glencraig Integrated Primary.

Projects >

Thank you so much to all our sponsors and supporters – Quite simply our work would not be possible without your help.