On Sunday 3 August 2003 the Brisbane Garden Party took place at the new Victoria Park Function Centre in Herston.

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The Brisbane Garden Party on Sunday 3 August 2003 was a very successful day thanks to major sponsors including Lauda Air, Richard Froggatt; Buspak Advertising, Steve O’Connor; APN News & Media, Martin Simons; “Sydney” yacht, Mr. Charles Curran, all our table captains and supporters. We are grateful to Mr. & Mrs. Sofronoff for purchasing the trip to Ireland flying Lauda, to Mr. Ken Woodley of Devine Homes for purchasing the Buspak Advertising and to our newest Queensland Governor, Ms. Sallyanne Atkinson AO.

Over 200 people attended including the Lord Mayor Mr. Tim Quinn, The Hon. Mr. Justice Ian Callinan AC, our Chairman Mr. Charles Curran AO, Sallyanne Atkinson AO, Mr. Terry Sullivan MLA representing the Premier and Mr. Ciaran Byrne, First Secretary, Embassy of Ireland representing the Ambassador. Corporate Brisbane was very well represented at the event.

Chairman Charles Curran gave guests an update of the projects we here in Australia support in Northern Ireland including: Northern Ireland Children's Enterprise, 174 Trust, Speedwell Trust, Rock Challenge, Soundhouse and a local project The Chair of Modern Irish Studies at the University of New South Wales. He also informed guests that recently we sponsored 10 Australian Special Olympian Athletes during the World Games in Dublin in June 2003.

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All our Governors were mentioned and thanked including our Queensland Governor, Dr. Marie Norton-Willson. A presentation of the specially commissioned Waterford Crystal "Governor Suite" was made to Governors present i.e. Mrs. Toni Ryan, Mr. Peter Ryan, Mr. Frank Curran and Mr. Richard Froggatt.

The Chairman thanked our major sponsors:
Lauda Air, Mr. Richard Froggatt; APN, Mr. Martin Simons; Buspak, Mr. Steve O'Connor; Sydney Yachts; Artist, Mrs. Anna Rubin; McGuigan Wines/Icon Brands, Mr. Craig Bell and Waterford Crystal, Mr. Alan Storey.

Other sponsors included Binna Burra Mountain Lodge, Mary Ryan Bookstores, Econova, Clear Mountain Health & Conference Centre, Peppers Manor House, Harrigans Irish Pub, The Merrion Hotel Dublin, Avis Car Rentals, Rydges Hotels and Resorts, Cha Cha Char, Pier Nine, Il Centro, Delahuntys, Carlton United Breweries, Suntory, Tullamore Dew and Irish Mist.

This Garden Party was our most successful in Brisbane raising over $62,000 for projects of peace and reconciliation, integrated education and community development in Northern Ireland. This could not have been achieved without the wonderful support of our sponsors and table captains i.e. Mr. Peter Verhoeven, Mr. Sean Brown, Mr. James Douglas QC, Mr. Tony Forsythe, Mrs. Johanna Roche, Mr. Peter Gallagher, Mr. Anthony Williams, Mr. Lex Heinemann, Mr. Martin Simons, Mr. Peter Ryan, Mr. Frank Curran, Mr. Chris McGirl, Mr. Gerry Murphy, Dr. John Ryan, Drs. Frank and Ailbhe Cunningham.

We thank our comedian Paul Martell and our own Governor and Director Mr. Frank Curran and the Pinchgut Choir for their wonderful entertainment.

A great day was had at the Victoria Park Function Centre at Herston and our projects in Northern Ireland will continue to receive the vital funding they need through the generosity of so many people.

To all who contributed to this successful Garden Party, THANK YOU!

Photo Index 1. CPC - Chairman Charles Curran 2. Table decoration at the Brisbane Garden Party 3. Dr. Ailbhe Cunningham, Benefactor of The Australian Ireland Fund - extreme right and guests 4. Lord Mayor of Brisbane, Mr. Tim Quinn 5. Sallyanne Atkinson AO, Director of The Fund 6. Vicki Lynagh Irish Dancers 7. Jennifer & Wayne Land 8. Janice and John Humphries 9. Governors Peter & Toni Ryan and guest 10. Judy Winston Smith, Helen Gallagher & Samuel Winston Smith 11. Dr. John Ryan and guests 12. Jeanie Ryan & Mark Musgrave 13. Richard Froggatt, Reg Trevaskis & Liz Froggatt 14. Frank Curran & Debra Bushell & Pinchguts 15. Craig Ansell & Lauda Air Guests 16. Tony Forsythe & Kerry Group Guests 17. Paul Martell, Former Police Commissioner, Jim O'Sullivan, Lex Heinemann and Ciaran Byrne 18. Teresa Keating and Frank Curran, singing for our country! 19. Artist Anna Rubin, painting "The Lilies" donated by Anna, Mr. Justin Holbrook and Karen Poole