Brainwave’s 2011 annual Galas held in Sydney and Melbourne were both a huge success! Over 700 people attended these key fundraising events at the Sydney Westin (in July) and Melbourne Crown Palladium (in September).
Guests enjoyed a night of dancing and festivities, centred on the theme of “Buenos Aires Tango Club”, as well as a sumptuous gourmet dinner, and a lot of fun and laughter. On a serious note, these events helped raise much-needed funds for the Brainwave families we support via ticket sales and proceeds from the silent and live auctions.
We would like to extend a big thank you to our guest speakers Kirsty Koolloos (Sydney), who, guided by Brainwave’s Patron George Gregan, shared some of her daily issues in caring for her son Jayden who suffers from a brain illness. We also appreciate Helen Grant (Melbourne) who shared with us her adult daughter’s challenges and life with a brain illness.
The Gala Dinners could not have run without the help of a great team of people, including MC’s Hugh Riminton and Jacqui Maddock in Sydney, and Francis Greenslade in Melbourne, as well as Auctioneers Scott Gibbons in Sydney and the ever popular Brainwave Patron Shawn Cosgrove in Melbourne who both did a fabulous job!
We would also like to thank our wonderful volunteers who generously donated their time and enthusiasm and did a great job selling raffle tickets and ensuring things were running smoothly on the night.
Finally we would like to acknowledge and thank our sponsors, as without their support these Galas would not be possible:
BluePrint, Cascade Light, Crown, Crown Lager, DealsDirect, Ferrero Aust, I.D. Events, In-line Couriers, Kraft Foods, Luna Park Melbourne, Myer, O’Connell’s Hotel, Polin & Polin Wines, Royal Randwick, Tide, Tyrrell’s Wines.