Rail's Heart of Gold: Results of The 4th Great Rail Charity Ball

Monday, 1 Sep 2008

In December 2004, on the back of a boat on Sydney Harbour, a number of ARIC members discussed the possibility of expanding the concept of the ARIC black tie Excellence in Export Awards to incorporate a charity event. The thought being that this would demonstrate that manufacturers and suppliers to the rail industry have broader concerns than just their bottom-line results and required improvements in our transportation sector.

The first Great Rail Charity Ball was held in July 2004 attracting a modest 130. Since the initial event, ARIC with the unpaid assistance of ACE Events, have held four of these balls. By the end of the very successful 2008 evening, we will have raised in excess of $130,000 to support our selected charities. Organisations such as JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation), which provides funds for diabetes research; or Redkite which provides support and assistance to families with children in hospital suffering life threatening diseases such as cancer, or Barnardos which provides assistance to children in imminent danger. The 2005 ball also donated a significant amount of money to the Queensland Premiers Disaster Relief Fund to support families that were devastated by Cyclone Larry in North Queensland. An event, that I am sure impacted on some of our rail colleagues and their families.

One of the highlights this year was the spirited bidding for a spontaneous donation by ARIC's past Chairman and Ball Patron, Steve Burraston, for a "Day with the Knights". This prize was eventually won by the Shell table. The package was for a group of four and comprised two nights accommodation at Wests Executive Inn (one of the Knights sponsors), access to the training session prior to the match and to the dressing rooms after the match (unfortunately this part was limited to the guys only), lunch with the Chairman in the Camelot Room and seats to watch the game. It was later discovered that the person who made the winning bid - in excess of $4,000 - in an act of generosity, passed this package onto Redkite who chose a local family so they could appreciate the opportunity of a day at the football with their heroes.

Next year we are looking to make the event even bigger. This can be achieved in a number of ways: by companies taking sponsorship; donating items for the auctions and raffles run on the night; and most importantly, by coming along, organising tables - and bringing your colleagues, customers and friends along too.

We hope to have somewhere between 250 and 300 guests on the night next year. So, mark Wednesday, 15 July 2009 in your calendar, diary or PDA now as the date for the 5th Great Rail Charity Ball. If you want to be sent information regarding participation as a sponsor or donor, or to get information regarding tickets, please contact the ARIC Secretariat on aric@aric.com.au or phone us on (02) 9390 2176 or (02) 9390 2145.

< Back