June 2, 2015 was a memorable day with the highly successful Women of Achievement Lunch held at the beautiful Four Seasons Hotel, George Street, Sydney. There were more than 390 guests in attendance and the venue served a very delicious two course meal. Thank you to Mrs Marno Parsons AM who started this event 30 years ago and who sponsored today’s lunch.
Thank You also to one of our major Sponsors, Betty lee and Bowerhaus, which provided the table gifts for all our guests and extra special gifts for the speakers. Bowerhaus also donated a stunning earring and necklace pearl set which was part of the Black and White Luxury package sold during the live auction.
Thank you to another long-term generous Sponsor, Roses Only, who provided long-stemmed roses for all our speakers, Emcees and Auctioneer as well as two ‘Fruit Only’ hampers which were part of the ‘lucky door’ prize.
Chocolates sponsored by Lindt were aplenty on all the tables and guests enjoyed these along with handmade chocolates from the Four Seasons Hotel – “heaven” you may think with such delicious treats. Lindt also donated a basket full to the brim with their chocolates as one of our 12 raffle prizes.
Levendi Jewellers, who has been an ongoing Sponsor for the Black and White Committee for over 10 years continued to donate generously with a beautiful piece of jewellery valued at over $1500 which one lucky guest won in the raffle prizes.
Thank you in particular to our Guest of Honour, Professor, the Honourable Dame Marie Bashir AD CVO who spoke so eloquently and with so much heart she had the room mesmerised. Thank you to our guest speakers Ann Sherry AO, Louise Herron AM, Deborah Hutton and Theresa Ruig-Smith. Each speaker gave their perspective on what it means to be a woman in leadership positions and the positive changes they have implemented to increase services and overall access to the blind. Theresa in particular was inspirational being blind herself and talking about how the funds raised by the Black and White Committee have directly assisted her into the workforce and a fulfilled life.
Thank you to our Ambassadors and Emcee’s – Richard Lyle and Natarsha Belling who give so generously of their time and services. Also thank you to Bob Guth who also donated his expertise as an auctioneer during our 6 live auctions. It was fast and furious as well as fun!
A BIG Thank you again to all of our other Sponsors who so generously donated various prizes and these sponsors include La Prairie Australia, Andrea Connolly Hair, Captain Cook Cruises, Zaffero, My Island Home, Harris Farm (Edgecliffe), Louise Mitchell, Karpati Spa, Powder Blue, Malcolm Turnball who signed a bottle of wine, Sanderson Motor Group, Laduree Australia, Four Seasons Hotel, Robyn Cosgrove, Sheraton Resort and Spa, Fine Wine Partners, Kerrie Brown, Denai Kulcsar Interiors, Peters of Kensington, Opera Australia, Ensemble Theatre, Lucio’s Italian Restaurant, Aria Restaurant, Pendolino, Sciue Scuie, Burnt Orange, Martha’s, Accoutrement, La Rosa Bar and Pizza, Dunbar House, Starwood Hotels and Resorts, Alex and Harry Fashion, Quincy Shoes, Larry Adler ski rental and Thredbo (ski season pass).
Over $60,000 was raised for the children of Vision Australia who are blind or have low vision. Below are some wonderful photos from the event. If you would like to see more, please click on this link: http://www.motorsportfotos.com/gallery/v/events/Black_and_White/
