The perfect mix of class and style, glitz and glamour, parody, emotion, entertainment and the finest wining and dining in the city ensured the Foundation’s fourth annual dinner would be recalled as the best to date.
Internationally-acclaimed cellist Heleen du Plessis opened the night in spectacular fashion, playing ACDC’s You Shook Me All Night Long and Michael Jackson’s Smooth Criminal; Dr Deborah Lambie (currently Miss World New Zealand), a recipient of a 2012 Foundation scholarship, embodied everything that is positive about the future of medical researchers; the endearing story of terminally ill Amanda McEwan was told, who bravely attended the dinner and who’s story was met with many tears plus a standing ovation; Billy Birmingham (aka The 12th Man) had the 460-strong audience in fits with his parody of Australia’s Channel 9 cricket commentary team and his take on the names in the Sri Lankan, Indian and Pakistan cricket sides and in the Kiwi rugby league side; and – with a two-hour non-stop performance – Shane Cortese and 8 Track Band ended the night in splendid form.
The Foundation is indebted to its dinner sponsors – Oyster Executive Recruitment, OceanaGold, Vero Liability, Misha’s Vineyard, DB Breweries, NZI, QBE, Crombie Lockwood, Forsyth Barr and Armstrong Prestige – and to the individuals and companies who donated product and services for the auction and raffle.
The dinner raised in excess of $85,000 for the work of the Foundation in establishing world-class, life-changing medical research at a catalyst level.
Thank you to everyone involved!