OMRF Gala 2021 - what a night! 

14/02/2021

The OMRF team are still buzzing from the spectacular Gala evening held at the Town Hall on Friday 12 February, proudly supported by Major Sponsor OceanaGold.

As a teaser for what was to come the evening began with an outstanding trumpet solo and incognito dancers and our singing MC Doug Kamo, which led into the night’s showstopping line-up of entertainment from the St Kilda Brass Band, Comedic Juggling Act Zane and Degge, The Rat Pack Returns and LA Social.

We were delighted to introduce Epidemiologist Professor Michael Baker as our Face of Research for 2021, the man who we had all learned so much from through our screens this year was in awe of being able to present to a full house in person! He spoke to us all about his expertise within the COVID-19 pandemic and what is to come with the roll out of the vaccination program.

The comedy juggling duo Zane and Degge wowed the crowd with their skills and had some of us a bit nervous for the volunteers from Forsyth Barr who found themselves on stage as part of the act!

The menu from the Compass team at Dunedin Venues was superb and the amazing wine from Misha’s Vineyard complimented it perfectly. 

Auctioneer Extraordinaire Rob Fowler joined us again for 2021. We placed him square on centre stage to auction all the generously donated items and there were some very happy bidders at the end of the night. Along with our raffle the evening raised a generous sum towards our work funding medical research in Otago.

Once the Auction was over, we were transported to 1960’s Las Vegas as we were treated to the vocal stylings of Doug Kamo, Paul Ross and Simon Green as The Rat Pack Returns Live, and the outstanding St Kilda Brass Band, hit the stage. The 40 minute set had us all dancing in our seats.

We are so grateful to all that supported the Foundation by attending the Gala, and we can definitely conclude by the huge crowd on the dance floor for the whole two-hour set from LA Social that a fantastic night was had by all.

Relive the night HERE through the photos taken by Chris Sullivan (Seen in Dunedin). We look forward to seeing you at our next Gala – save the date: Friday, February 18 2022.