Another Successful Fundraiser for the Slim Dusty Foundation by Max Markson and International Events!!

Another Successful Fundraiser for the Slim Dusty Foundation by Max Markson and International Events!!

The Slim Dusty Country Ball was held on 31st March 2010, at The Westin, No 1 Martin Place, Sydney.  This was a major fundraising event for the Slim Dusty Foundation, with the proceeds going towards the development of the Slim Dusty Centre, which is currently under construction in Slim’s Hometown of Kempsey, NSW.

The Country Ball was attended by the Slim Dusty Family; Joy McKean OAM, Anne Kirkpatrick and Dr David Kirkpatrick, Members of the Board of Directors; Peter Townsend, Louis Calleja, Steve Read, Kevin Farrawell and Max Ellis, with fellow  Director Ray Hadley OAM being Master of Ceremonies and Auctioneer for the night.

Patron of the Slim Dusty Foundation, Dick Smith, and his wife Pip were honoured guests.  Fellow Patron Lee Kernaghan, who couldn’t be there on the night, graciously donated a signed guitar, as did Keith Urban. Both items fetched handsome prices in the Live Auction.

Chief Executive Officer, Kathryn Yarnold, along with Executive Assistant Tracey Parker, and Office Administrator Brenda Fritsch also attended.  Tracey Parker was the lucky bidder on the signed Troy Cassar-Daley Fender Guitar, and Brenda Fritsch is now the proud owner of the signed Keith Urban Guitar.

Entertainment was extraordinary with The Sunny Cowgirls kick starting the night, followed by Adam Harvey, local talent Steve Passfield, The Bushwackers and Troy Cassar-Daley who performed a memorable   duet of “The Gambler” with NRL great Benny Elias.  The Bushwackers ended the night with a good ol’ fashioned hoe down, getting the crowd up for a toe tapping, country dance!!

The Slim Dusty Country Ball was attended by over 250 guests, with the Live and Silent Auctions raising much needed funds for the Slim Dusty Centre, and some very fortunate individuals going home with spectacular items such as an exquisite wine cabinet from the authentic Nulla Collection, handcrafted by Dave Jones with 6 signed bottles of Vat 1 Hunter Semillon 2003 and 6 signed bottles Vat 47 Hunter Chardonnay 2007 from Leading Australian Winemaker Bruce Tyrrell which complemented this unique piece.

An amazing stock whip was handmade by Richard Taubman, and mounted in a handcrafted timber display case with Slim’s name and life dates plaited into the handle. This was also donated to the live auction and raised $10,000 in much needed funds.

A Special Appeal was also held for the building of the Theatrette planned for inclusion in the Slim Dusty Centre, which raised over $11,000!!

All in all, it was a fantastic night and a successful fundraiser with many thanks going to Max Markson and Martine Buchter, and all the staff of International Events who worked tirelessly on the event, along with; Ray Hadley OAM who was the MC and Auctioneer; the entire Board of Directors and the Slim Dusty Foundation Team. A sincere thank you also goes to all the sponsors of the event and the generous donors, who are the mainstay of the success of the Slim Dusty Centre project.

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