Charity event hits gold
Games ball nets $300k for needy
A COMMONWEALTH Games charity fund for the Gold Coast’s needy has been kickstarted with $350,000 after a glitzy ball.
Sports stars, politicians and business leaders came together for one of the social events of the year – the Games Charity Gala ball – at The Star Broadbeach on Saturday.
Games CEO Mark Peters said a final figure would be clear later in the week but more than $300,000 was raised – an “absolutely outstanding contribution from the Gold Coast, corporate Queensland and Mums and Dads”.
Tickets started from $350 and gold tables of 10 for $20,000 with guests bidding thousands on almost 60 auction
IT’S GREAT TO BE RAISING MONEY FOR CHARITY BUT ALSO TO BE BRINGING A BIT OF LIFE TO THE GAMES
CAMERON McEVOY
items including unique Games experiences and luxury holidays.
Olympian Cameron McEvoy, who walked the red carpet on the night with lawyer girlfriend Violet Atkinson, said the event helped build excitement for April’s Games.
“It’s great to be raising money for charity but also to be bringing a bit of life to the Commonwealth Games,” he said.
“There’s already a lot of spirit around the city, but this event is one of the first kickstarters for the Games and tells everyone that it’s just around the corner.”
Champion hurdler Sally Pearson, marathoner Michael Shelley, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, Commonwealth Games and Tourism Minister Kate Jones plus champion sisters of swimming Bronte and Cate Campbell were among VIPs – with many opting to wear green and gold.
Asked who she was dressed by, Cate Campbell replied: “My cupboard, I went furrowing through the back and just picked out something.
“I went with a green (dress) and I have little gold earrings ... I was going for the patriotic thing.”
Channel 7 presenter Amanda Abate made a quick dash from the newsdesk in Surfers Paradise to the Broadbeach red carpet.
“It was a quick outfit change after reading the news,” she said. “Put on some red lipstick and I was ready to go.”
Guests were treated to a performance by X-Factor winner Dani Im.
More pictures Faces & Places, P12-13