Melbourne Gala Luncheon
: 20 April 2008
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Programme > (pdf
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Over 210 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 were also entertained by the wonderful
Bernadette Robinson, Paul Noonan on Piano and
cellist Imogene joined them for their new Damien
Rice song.
Mary Waldron our luncheon chair and Director
then 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. Mary
was delighted to be able to announce that recently
the Education Minister in Northern Ireland
Caitriona Ruane confirmed that the government
would support the merging of Rowallane Integrated
College and Down Academy with £12 million
going forward. This announcement
came to fruition in no small part because of
the support of the Ireland Funds, including
the Australian Ireland Fund.
Ambassador Máirtín Ó'Fainín 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
Conducted by our wonderful
supporter and auctioneer, Gerald Delany of
Kay & Burton.
- The Hamilton Island and Jetstar package
was received well and the bidding was watched
with interest by Jetstar CEO, Alan Joyce
- Lot
2 - A day at Flemington Races in
the Chairman’s Club courtesy of GlobeCast
Australia and Mike Lattin saw
some lively bidding.
- Lot 3 - A cruise on the stunning 60ft
Yacht “Sydney” courtesy
of Chairman Charles Curran AC again encountered
lively bidding.
- Lot 4 - The Australian Radio
Network advertising package on MIX
101.1 and Gold 104.3 was
very well received.
- Lot 5
- A six course degustation menu for 30 people
at Level 89 Eureka Tower,
Melbourne’s most spectacular event
space courtesy of Level 89, Eureka
Tower and Brendan O’Brien was
purchased by Michael Cadden
- Lot 6 - The Qantas
Business Class tickets to Europe,
Accommodation at Dromoland Castle,
Car Hire courtesy of Avis and
flights to Ireland courtesy of Aer
Lingus were purchased by Paul
Parker.
Guests then relaxed with dessert and Irish
coffees and again enjoyed the music of the
Fitzgeralds as they mingled with guests.
An entertaining and fun day was had by all – while
assisting us to support so many of 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 >
We would like to thank our Sponsors
Qantas,
Australian Radio Network, Mix 101.1, Gold 104.3,
Level 89, Eureka Tower, Brendan O’Brien,
Dromoland Castle, GlobeCast, Jetstar, “Sydney”,
Hamilton Island, Avis, Aer Lingus, Mooney
Valley Racing Club, Kay & Burton, Waterford
Crystal, HarrisScarfe, Bannister Point Lodge,
Bistro Guillaume, Village Roadshow, Picture
This Balooning, Guinness, Zinc, Encore, Empawrium,
Tullamore Dew, Irish Mist, Carolans, Constellation
Wines Australia, Monsieur Exclusive Male
Outfitters, La Bergerie, Allen & Unwin,
Suzi Q Lingere
Thank you so much to all our sponsors and
supporters – Quite simply our work would
not be possible without your help
Photos
1. Director, Mary Waldron
2. Alan Joyce
3. Ken Ryan, Paul Parker, Alan Joyce, Mary
Waldron, Kevin Luscombe AM
4. Gavin Quirk, guest
5. Ava Moynes & Cara Moynes
6. Teresa Keating & Pat McNamara
7. Fiona Tuite
8. Damien O’Shea
9. Lisa Fletcher
10. Sarah Yencken
11. Ashleigh Murray & Carmel Murray
12. Derek Murray & Paul Moynes
13. Pauline Christie & Ken Hudson
14. Georgina Damm & Paul Parker
15. John Heger & Richard Henderson
16. Sally Heerey, Hon. Justice Peter Heerey & Margaret Nolan
17. Tony Cavanough & Gabrielle Cavanough
18. Susie Holt & Ken Ryan
19. Avril Mulcahy
20. Performer Bernadette Robinson
21. Frank Daly & Julien O’Connell
22. Jarlath Ronayne, Ambassador ÓFainín, Margaret Ronayne, Robyn
Adams, Prof. Ron
Adams
23.
Hazel Thompson
24.
Martin Nally |
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