Sydney Garden Party: 28th Oct 2007

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The Australian Ireland Fund’s Annual Sydney Garden Party was this year held on the stunning grounds of Lady Mary Fairfax’s home in Double Bay ‘Fairwater’. The theme for this year’s event was “Treasure Ireland” with many of the 530 guests dressing as Pirates, Buccaneers and Wenches.

On arrival, guests enjoyed canapés and pre luncheon cocktails called “Marooned” while enjoying the beautiful views by the water. Many also took the opportunity to have their fortunes read or to be tattooed for the day before being lead into the wonderfully decorated “Treasure Ireland” marquee.

President and CEO, Kingsley Aikins began the days’ formalities and gave guests an entertaining and informative update on the Ireland Funds before introducing Chairman Charles Curran AC who officially welcomed guests including Lady Mary Fairfax AC, OBE, Consul General Patrick Scullion and Senator the Hon. Helen Coonan.

Guests were treated to a dashing performance by the “The Rat Pack’s Back” with old favourites such as “New York, New York”, “My Way” and “Come Fly with Me” which had most singing along while enjoying a menu which included Confit salmon Roulade, Sticky Bungalow pork belly and platters of delicious dessert canapés.

The Live Auction was a success with guest auctioneers “Jonesy & Amanda” of WSFM 101.7 helping raise $135,000 – our thanks to Bob Longwell, CEO of Australian Radio Network who secured the sought after Jonesy & Amanda for us. The Live Auction Items this year included a relaxing week at Palm Beach thanks to Gary and Penny Gerstle the highest bidder being Tom Maguire, six bottles of Penfolds Grange Hermitage Vintage 2002 thanks to GlobeCast Australia with the highest bidder being Greg Gav, sail on the Mediterranean for one week on 90 ft Cutter Lisheen Lady thanks to Governor Jack O’Mahony with the highest bidder being Sir Ron Brierley, a cruise aboard the stunning 60ft Yacht "Sydney" thanks to our Chairman Charles Curran AC with the highest bidder being Mark Stanbridge, 7 Days stay at the Chateau de Beauregard thanks to Dominique’s Villas of London with the highest bidder being David Coe, Mercedes-Benz B-Class Compact Sports Tourer thanks to Mercedes-Benz and APN Outdoor with the highest bidder being Gary Gerstle and 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, 2 nights at Capella Castlemartyr thanks to Capella Castlemartyr, 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 being Jacqueline Chew – We thank everyone most sincerely for all those live auction items which made this years live auction, one of our best ever.

We also thank all who supported the Silent Auction which was also a success with a special mention to Bob Oatley, Hamilton Island, Jetstar, Waterford Wedgwood, Lilianfels, Harrigans, Marco Meneguzzi, Eaglereach, Sydney Convention & Exhibition Centre, Pamela Regan-Fox & Gogoanna, Australian Radio Network, The Irish Design Shop, Maxxium & Cristy O’Sullivan; Star City, Guillaume at Bennelong; and Tailored Events for the package at Fort Denison.
Guinness/Diageo provided us with all our Guinness & Kilkenny for guests on the day and also Smirnoff for our “Marooned” cocktails – we thank Sarah Dear and Andrew Keith very much. Thanks also to Fosters and Henry Dawson-Damer for their donation of wines and beers for the Garden Party and to Jenny Thomas of Suntory for the donation of Tullamore Dew for Irish Coffees, Carolans and Irish Mist. Last but not least to our Governor and Director Peter Ryan for the donation of Moet champagne for our corporate tables.

Throughout the day guests partook in the “Bounty” game, the prize for which was a weeks accommodation in a 4 bedroom luxurious Villa in the fabulous Sheraton Mirage Resort in Port Douglas, courtesy of Mr. & Mrs. Ron Porter and cash of $5,000. The winner was John Ryan.

The day was successful both socially and financially with over $200,000 being raised on the day for projects of peace and reconciliation and integrated education in Northern Ireland. This could not have been achieved without the generous support of all involved but in particular our major sponsors:

APN News and Media, Brendan Hopkins & Richard Herring
Qantas, Stephen Humphries & Joyce Weir
Mercedes Benz, Chris Knaap.

We also thank Liz Tailor of Tailored Events who has catered for us for the last five years at Fairwater the food was wonderful.
We truly are very grateful to all our table captains, supporters and sponsors, individuals and companies alike, without whom our work would not be possible! Thank you to all for making this year’s Australian Ireland Fund Sydney Garden Party perhaps the best yet.

Photo Index

1. Charles Curran AC, Senator the Hon. Helen Coonan & Chris Knaap
2. Justine O'Reilly, Ilse O'Reilly and Guest
3. Bee Hopkins
4. Kingsley Aikins, Senator the Hon. Helen Coonan and Charles Curran AC
5. Chris Curran, Sophie Curran, Richard Garside and Guest
6. Diana Handley and Consul General Patrick Scullion
7. Liz Burch and Sir Ron Brierley
8. Peter Ryan, Tom Moore and Guests
9. Tracy Grimshaw, Australian Ireland Fund Executive Director Teresa Keating, Brendan Jones, Joyce Weir and Amanda Keller
10. Dick Etling and Mary Lee
11. Deirdre O'Dowd Page
12. Toni Ryan
13. David Coe
14. Cameron and Tara O'Reilly
15. Pirate and Wenches
16. The Rat Packs Back
17. Roger and The Rat Pack
18. Jane Cosgrove, plus member of the "Rat Pack's Back" and Susie Willmott
19. Kate and Jane Cosgrove