Brisbane Gala Luncheon : 17th Aug 2008

The Australian Ireland Fund Gala Luncheon took place on Sunday 17 August 2008 at picturesque Hillstone St. Lucia, overlooking the scenic St. Lucia Golf Links. With traditional Irish music by Tulca mor in the background, the beautiful Brisbane weather was a perfect backdrop for Brisbane’s top corporates, the Brisbane Irish Community and also some of our Sydney regulars and their friends and family to enjoy the welcome drinks on the terrace.

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Special guests on the day included Chairman Charles Curran AC, Director Sallyanne Atkinson AO, Vice Consul Louise Kelly, Directors Frank Curran, Tom Moore and Peter Ryan. Chairman Charles Curran AC sent his congratulations and goodwill to new the Governor of Queensland H.E Penny Wensley AO who sent her apologies for the event. The Chairman also thanked major sponsors Mark Cooper from Etihad Airways;  Seamus Roche from Australian Radio Network;  Mark Jamieson from APA Publishing, Greg Ward from Connect to Jewellery, Megan Stanley from Waterford Crystal, Peter Ryan and Drs Frank and Ailbhe Cunningham for  their generous support as sponsors.

Guests were treated to a surprise performance by Roger Davey and the singing waiter who had the audience singing along and even asking for an encore.

The Silent Auction items were all heavily bid for and included items generously donated by Rydges Hotels Sirromet Wines, GoodHealth & Medicine, Guillaume at Bennelong, Binna Burra Mountain Lodge, Taste Ireland, Hillstone St. Lucia, Sea World, The Jas J Delahunty Pharmacy Group, Blue Ridge Lavender Farm & Retreat, Abundant Massage, The Golden Door Health, Harrigan's, Calypso Bay Bonville International Resort, The Chalk Hotel and Cypress Lakes Resort.

The Live Auction had fantastic items on offer such as A cruise around Sydney harbour aboard the stunning 60ft Yacht "Sydney" for twelve guests, a luxurious accommodation and golf package at Hyatt Regency Coolum, a beautiful Waterford Crystal Bolton Turnover Bowl from the Grafton Street Collection, a Classic Hits 4KQ advertising package courtesy of Australian Radio Network, a framed and Signed 2008 Touring Irish Rugby Union team jersey courtesy of APN Newspapers Pty Ltd, six bottles of Grange courtesy of Peter Ryan, a 3.23 carats natural black pear shaped diamond elegant pendant courtesy of Connect to Jewellery Pty Ltd Gold Coast, and the highlight of the Live Auction, the ‘trip of a Lifetime to Dublin’ with Etihad Airways with two Pearl Business Class tickets, 3 nights at the magnificent 5 Star luxury Sheen Falls Lodge, 3 nights at Merrion Hotel, Dublin's most luxurious five star hotel plus a week’s car hire in Ireland courtesy of Avis Australia.

We thank all our generous table captains, sponsors and supporters without whom we could not support the many projects of integrated education  that we do.

Photos

1 – Sallyanne Atkinson AO, Dr John & Jeanie Ryan, Philip Black
2 – Arthur & Janet Dobeson and guests
3 – Bill & Jodi Stewart, Frank Giufre
4 – Alan & Helena Druery OAM, Prof. John O’Gorman
5 - Cate Steel, Sister Angela Mary Doyle, Kelvin Steel, Sister Nuala Doyle, Eugene McAteer
6 – Dr Tom Moore, Katie Moore, Suzanne Moore
7 – Dr Gary O’Rourke, Charles Curran AC, Dr Frank Cunningham, Teresa Keating, Robert Riddel
8 – Sabine Hochbaum, Charles Curran AC, Aimee Garsuta
9 – Peter Ryan, Peter Power
10 – Pam Easton, Tarragh Cunningham, Dr Ailbhe Cunningham
11 – Laurel Yesberg, Sallyanne Atkinson
12 – Rod Harris, Mark Jamieson, Fran Dickens, Tony Broadhurst
13 – Jeanie Ryan
14 – Frank Clair, Dr John Ryan, Peter Reid
15 – Larry Brazel, Don Dickie
16 – Judy & Robert Hunter, Rowena Giufre
17 – Sallyanne Atkinson AO, Prof. Peter Sheehan AO
18 – Dr Frank Cunningham, Robert Riddel, Keith Burt
19 – Teresa Keating, Dr Gary O’Rourke
20 – Cate Steel, Dr John O’Donnell
21 – Maria Wagner, Aileen O’Gorman, Prof. Nasir & Layla Butrous,
22 – Murray & Toni Thornton, Helen & Chris Barnard
23 – Seamus Roche, Veronica Doonican
24 – Mark Jamieson, Andy Nason, Peter Power
25 – Dr Ailbhe Cunningham, Barbara O’Rourke
26 – Janet & Arthur Dobeson
27 – Paulette Clarke, Sarah Moore, Tom Sheehan