1200 guests including 85 Olympians and Sporting Stars ‘Dined under the stars of the Southern Cross’ at Longreach...
1200 guests including 85 Olympians and Sporting Stars ‘Dined under the stars of the Southern Cross’ at Longreach on Friday 13th September 2002.
Located on the tarmac of the Longreach Airport facing the old Qantas Hangar guests arrived to a setting of 120 tables alight with 1200 tea candles flickering against the back drop of a perfect outback sunset.
The black tie dinner had many memorable moments not the least being the opening stanza when Sky Diver Dave Benson arrived with the Olympic flag (the same one used at the opening ceremony in Sydney) and the Year of the Outback flag – right on target – next to the dinner guests. The flags were then handed to John Arnold and his fantastic accompanying seven horsemen where they rode through the middle of the dinner to deliver the flags to the front stage. Within this process two of the horsemen dazzled the crowd by pirouetting their horses in the centre isle.
Two very special Olympic moments occurred:- Con Verevis (the first torch runner in the 1956 relay) and John Palmer (who lit the cauldron in Longreach in 2000) carried in the burning 2000 Olympic torch to the cheer of the crowd and then 1932 Olympic Gold Medallist (for Ireland) Bob Tisdall was honoured on centre stage with a standing ovation.
Entertainment was provided by Longreach singer and song writer Grant Millar who sang the official Year of the Outback song ‘This is the Year’ and ‘Longreach’. Graham and Louise Dean from Winton delivered their world renowned bush poetry. Comedian Brian Doyle was at his best. The John Paul College Marching Eagles and Chamber Choir gave an outstanding performance and Norman May’s delivery of “Gold Gold Gold” was very popular with guests. Laurie Lawrence gave a stirring rendition of Cathy Freeman’s victory and was also a vital link in generating enthusiasm and emotion during the auctions.
Master of Ceremonies, Channel Seven’s Pat Welsh was a true professional and his interviews with Olympians Dean Lukin, Steven Bradbury, Lisa Curry-Kenny, Nikki Hudson and Susie O’Neill were high class.
In terms of generating income from the event for our 2004 Olympians, the night was a huge success, with just over $150,000 (nett) raised from ticket sales, raffles and auctions.
Not only did the dinner deliver excellent financial return but it also created immeasurable good will for the Olympic Movement throughout Queensland.
The dinner was preceded by a community function in Blackall (2 hours drive South-East of Longreach) where 300 residents were joined by 30 Olympians and Qld Government Sport and Recreation personnel to help raise much needed funds to construct a new multi-purpose sporting facility for the town.
During the Olympians stay in Blackall, their stopover (in transit) at Barcaldine and during their stay in Longreach they participated in coaching clinics, community events and school visitations which all involved weighted participation with youth.
Located on the tarmac of the Longreach Airport facing the old Qantas Hangar guests arrived to a setting of 120 tables alight with 1200 tea candles flickering against the back drop of a perfect outback sunset.
The black tie dinner had many memorable moments not the least being the opening stanza when Sky Diver Dave Benson arrived with the Olympic flag (the same one used at the opening ceremony in Sydney) and the Year of the Outback flag – right on target – next to the dinner guests. The flags were then handed to John Arnold and his fantastic accompanying seven horsemen where they rode through the middle of the dinner to deliver the flags to the front stage. Within this process two of the horsemen dazzled the crowd by pirouetting their horses in the centre isle.
Two very special Olympic moments occurred:- Con Verevis (the first torch runner in the 1956 relay) and John Palmer (who lit the cauldron in Longreach in 2000) carried in the burning 2000 Olympic torch to the cheer of the crowd and then 1932 Olympic Gold Medallist (for Ireland) Bob Tisdall was honoured on centre stage with a standing ovation.
Entertainment was provided by Longreach singer and song writer Grant Millar who sang the official Year of the Outback song ‘This is the Year’ and ‘Longreach’. Graham and Louise Dean from Winton delivered their world renowned bush poetry. Comedian Brian Doyle was at his best. The John Paul College Marching Eagles and Chamber Choir gave an outstanding performance and Norman May’s delivery of “Gold Gold Gold” was very popular with guests. Laurie Lawrence gave a stirring rendition of Cathy Freeman’s victory and was also a vital link in generating enthusiasm and emotion during the auctions.
Master of Ceremonies, Channel Seven’s Pat Welsh was a true professional and his interviews with Olympians Dean Lukin, Steven Bradbury, Lisa Curry-Kenny, Nikki Hudson and Susie O’Neill were high class.
In terms of generating income from the event for our 2004 Olympians, the night was a huge success, with just over $150,000 (nett) raised from ticket sales, raffles and auctions.
Not only did the dinner deliver excellent financial return but it also created immeasurable good will for the Olympic Movement throughout Queensland.
The dinner was preceded by a community function in Blackall (2 hours drive South-East of Longreach) where 300 residents were joined by 30 Olympians and Qld Government Sport and Recreation personnel to help raise much needed funds to construct a new multi-purpose sporting facility for the town.
During the Olympians stay in Blackall, their stopover (in transit) at Barcaldine and during their stay in Longreach they participated in coaching clinics, community events and school visitations which all involved weighted participation with youth.
