Master of Ceremonies
Tim Gavel.
Tim is highly regarded as a sports journalist for Canberra ABC Radio Grandstand
program. He has commented on countless games, five Olympics
and five Commonwealth Games.
Tim is respected in the local sports sector for his excellence and passion for the industry as well as the community work he undertakes. He is a Board member of the Kids Fitness Foundation, a patron of the Walking School Bus program and an ambassador for the Heart Foundation.
With his caring nature and endless energy Tim has been described as “the best you can get” in sports commentating in the ACT and is an inspiration for many. So it was no surprise when Tim was named the ACT Local Hero of the Year 2008.
Genevieve Jacobs.
Genevieve is a freelance journalist
who has written for national gardening and fine arts magazines
and lectured widely on artists and
their gardens.
The arts, gardening and the environment, history and politics, and family issues are among Genevieve’s interests but as an incurably nosy person, she enjoys discovering people’s stories and loves nothing more than a good yarn.
You can hear Genevieve's cheerful voice on the 666 ABC Afternoon program.
Auctioneer
Steve Thomas
The very popular and entertaining Steve is our talented auctioneer.
As well as heading up Edge Real Estate, he is an active member of the
community supporting local charities such as St Vincent
de Paul Youth and The Fred Hollows Foundation.
Steve enjoys public speaking and has presented at the National Press Club on behalf of the ACT Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and the University of Canberra.
Tonight he'll wow us with some great auction items. We thank Steve for his invaluable contribution in making our Gala Dinner a success.
Entertainers
Annie & The Armadillos have made a deep impression on the Canberra music scene and are a favourite for corporate functions. Well known for their wide musical ability and repertoire ranging from the sultry jazz artists like Barbara Morrison and Etta James to today’s latest grooves and top 40.
Annie was born singing, and was voted by respected musicians within the Industry as 'Performer of the Year 2004'. Happy, happier, happiest is how she describes her love of performing jazz and blues.
Tonight Tony Haley, one of Canberra’s greatest swing talents will join Annie for a wonderful evening’s entertainment.
Kindly sponsored by EBA Laywers.
The Canberra Mandolin Orchestra brings together players of mandolin, mandola,
mandocello, mandobass, guitar and double bass.
It keeps alive the rich tradition of the mandolin groups that were so popular
with thousands of amateur and professional music makers in the first couple of
decades of the 20th century.
Under the musical direction of conductor Michael Sollis the orchestra’s repertoire includes folk music from Australia, the Mediterranean and the Celtic nations, ritzy tunes from the dawn of the jazz age, light classics, film themes and popular music.
The
orchestra rehearses every Tuesday evening in Woden. New players are always
welcome.
Prosperous Mountain Lion Dance
Welcome to good fortune!
The Chinese in Singapore believe that the lion brings forth good
fortune. Legend has it that a monstrous creature, the Nien, would destroy
the fields, crops and animal of farmers each year on the eve of Chinese New
Year. To put an end to the animal’s ravaging, the villagers put together
a fearsome model of an animal using bamboo and paper, and manipulated it
like a puppet to scare off the ferocious Nien, along with the loud and persistent
banging of drums. Their ingenious plan was followed with success and henceforth,
the lion dance was performed annually to celebrate their good fortune.
