Brisbane Gala Luncheon : 19th Aug 2007

The Annual Australian Ireland Fund Brisbane Gala Luncheon was held on Sunday 19 August at beautiful Hillstone St. Lucia. The event was attended by Brisbane’s top corporates along with their colleagues, friends and family.

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They were also joined by numerous members of the Brisbane Irish Community and also some Sydney regulars. Special guests on the day included His Excellency Máirtín Ó Fainín, Ambassador of Ireland to Australia, Councillor Jane Prentice who represented the Lord Mayor of Brisbane, Chairman Charles Curran AC and Governor and Director Sallyanne Atkinson AO.
The guests were welcomed with fantastic traditional Irish music and song from the band Tulca Mór and the afternoon commenced with canapés and champagne in the Grand View Room which was decorated beautifully in ivory white and emerald green to set the mood. The view was of the St. Lucia Golf Links which was made only more stunning with the much welcome Brisbane rain on the day.

After an introduction by Sallyanne Atkinson AO, and welcome by Chairman Charles Curran AC, His Excellency Máirtín Ó Fainín, Ambassador of Ireland to Australia, spoke of the importance and need for continued action and support of the cause of integrated education and even delivered parts of his message in Irish Gaelic.

Guests were then treated to the spectacular voice of Maggie Noonan who was introduced to the audience by her husband Brian. It was made clear why Maggie is known as one of Australia’s top classic soprano voices with her rendition of the Irish favourite ‘Oh Danny Boy’ and ‘The Fields of Athenry’.

Our live auction was once again hosted by the always entertaining Mr. Philip Black who got everyone’s excitement levels up with all the bidding and outbidding. The Live Auction Items this year included an accommodation package at Hyatt Regency Coolum thanks to Hyatt Regency Coolum the highest bidder being Gavin Strack, a cruise aboard the stunning 60ft Yacht "Sydney" thanks to our Chairman Charles Curran AC with the highest bidder being Mike Emmerson of Brisbane Mediations, a target audience advertising package on Brisbane's Classic Hits Radio 4KQ thanks to The Australian Radio Network, a Sheraton Noosa Resort and Spa package thanks to APN Australian Publishing, and the top Live Auction item was a Trip of a Lifetime to London which included two luxurious business class tickets thanks to Qantas, 2 airline tickets to Ireland thanks to Aer Lingus, 3 nights at Dromoland Castle, 5 nights Bed & Breakfast accommodation around Ireland thanks to Tourism Ireland and a week’s Class C car hire in Ireland courtesy of Avis. The highest bidder for this prize was Gary O’Rourke and his table host was Drs Ailbhe & Frank Cunningham – thank you all.

The Silent Auction also included some very enticing items such as a Carafe & Wine set by Waterford Crystal, a getaway package at Binna Burra, accommodation and golf at the wonderful Bonville International golf course, a voucher for the famous Guillaume at Bennelong, 5 nights Rydges Escape at a Rydges Hotel almost anywhere in Australia, a voucher to enjoy Breakfast, Lunch or Dinner at the Hundred Acre Bar at beautiful St. Lucia Golf Links, a Japanese samurai inspired Zaishu seat, two nights accommodation package at Couran Cove Island, Two A-Reserve tickets to an Opera Queensland’s production, overnight accommodation at the Medina River View apartment at Medina Executive Brisbane, Half a dozen bottles of Charles Brut Reserve, five cases of Stella Artois, world famous Belgian beer, 2 nights bed and breakfast for two people at Clear Mountain Health Resort, a lunch and drinks package valued at $1000 for 12 people at Harrigans Drift Inn at the new Calypso Bay Development 35 minutes south of Brisbane; and cartons and cartons of Guinness!

A huge mention and thanks have to go out to our major sponsors QANTAS, APN Australian Publishing, Sydney Yachts, The Australian Radio Network, Hyatt Regency Coolum, Dromoland Castle, Tourism Ireland, Waterford Crystal, Avis, Harrigans Irish Pub, Guinness, Tullamore Dew, Carolans, Irish Mist, and to all our sponsors and supporters that every year help to make it a successful and enjoyable day. Also, a special thanks to Maggie & Brian Noonan, Philip Black and to the individuals and companies for hosting tables.

Our Table captains continue to support us every year and we thank them sincerely for that, they include, Sallyanne Atkinson AO, Rod Harris, APN Australian Publishing; Denise Britton & Mike Emmerson, Brisbane Mediations; Drs. Frank and Ailbhe Cunningham; Charles Curran AC; Dr. Tom Moore; Dr. John & Jeannie Ryan of Clear Mountain Health Centre; Peter & Toni Ryan of PJ Ryans Hotels; Peter Sheehan AO of Australian Catholic University; Peter Verhoeven & Cathrine McDonald of Radio 4KQ; and KPMG. The band Tulca Mór entertained the guests until the afternoon concluded which was a lovely end to a wonderful day of great food, entertainment, excellent company and most importantly, a successful day of fundraising.

Photo Index

1. Charles Curran AC
2 - His Excellency Máirtín Ó Fainín, Ambassador of Ireland to Australia
3. Sallyanne Atkinson
4. Maggie Noonan
5. Brian Noonan, Teresa Keating & Maggie Noona
6 - Sonia Langford - Qantas
7 - Rob Kent, Barbara Young and Guests
8 - Professor John O’Gorman, Aileen O'Gorman and Diane Josephson
9 - Auctioneer Phil Black and Linnie Evans
10 - Damian Moran and Sky Chapman
11 - Laurel Yesberg, Patricia Conroy & Martin Conroy
12 - Toni Ryan & Eva Curran
13 - Kim and Robert Matzer
14 - Stewart Clarke and Sarah Moore
15 - Dr Shane Higgins, Ciara Higgins, Pauline Donegan and H.E Ambassador Ó Fainín
16 - Councillor Jane Prentice, Chairman Charles Curran AC and Lisa Fraser
17 - Sabine Hochbaum and Aimee Garsuta
18 - Margaret Macaulay and Denise Britton
19 - Andy Nason, Susy Hunter and Toni Ryan
20 - Phil Black, Teresa Keating, Australian Ireland Fund Executive Director & Rod Harris
21 - Prof. John O'Gorman, Prof. Mary Sheehan, Prof. Peter Sheehan and Guests
22 - Dr Frank Cunningham, Dr Ailbhe Cunningham and Guests
23 - Aisling Crowhurst and Dr Ailbhe Cunningham
24 - Gavin Strack
25 - Denise Britton and Mike Emerson
26 - Professor Peter Sheehan AO
27 - Dr. Tom Moore
28 - Barbara and Gary O’Rourke