The Eye Foundation has raised AUD$80,000 at its first ever julEYEball in Brisbane last July.
Attended by 300 guests, the event raised the money for research projects into eye health and eye disease. With 70 auction items ranging from holidays, dinners, memorabilia, wines, professional consulting packages and artworks, the items were hotly contested. A signed INXS guitar donated by Eye Foundation ambassador Kirk Pengilly raised AUD$4,000 and dinner at Sydney’s ARIA kitchen table raised AUD$5,500.
Guests were entertained by the amazing Marcia Hines, who waived her performance fee in support of the event. She revved up the celebrations later in the evening, kick starting the party on the dance floor. Eye Foundation ambassador Kirk Pengilly (INXS) and his fiancé Layne Beachley (seven times world surfing champion) were in attendance and were ‘auctioned off’ early in the evening and seated at the highest bidders’ tables.
Kirk, along with ophthalmologist and former Wallaby Captain Mark Loane, were interviewed, and shared their passion and connection to the issue of eye health, along with a few stories from their respective tours around the world playing with INXS and touring with the Wallabies.
Eye Foundation CEO Belinda Sullivan said “the julEYEball was a great success thanks to the support and work of the Queensland based julEYEball committee and the many doctors, ophthalmologists and industry members who hosted tables and supported the event.”
The Eye Foundation would like to thank the event’s generous sponsors including Moreton Hire, ODMA, Vibe Hotels, Stone Coast Wines, St. George and Novartis, and industry who supported the event by attending including Device Technologies and Pfizer.
Thanks must also go to the Queensland julEYEball committee members Dr. Mark Loane, Ophthalmologist; Colleen Sullivan, Practice Manager Northside Eye Specialists; Clare Barrett, Assistant Manager Eye Tech; Dr. Bill Glasson, Ophthalmologist; Dr. Michael Waldie, Ophthalmologist; Mark Grey, CEO Queensland Eye Hospital; Dr. Diana Conrad, Ophthalmologist and Anne Crouch, CEO Eye Tech.
The julEYEball will become an annual event on the julEYE calendar in Brisbane and potentially other cities.
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