On Thursday, 25 November 2010, the Australian Ireland Fund Young Leaders kicked off the festive season at the spectacular Opera Bar, with their Christmas Celebration. The venue provided our 90 guests with stunning views of the Opera House and Sydney Harbour, and the wonderful warm spring Sydney weather added to the great atmosphere.
The event gave the Australian Ireland Fund Young Leaders and their guests the opportunity to catch up & network, enjoy delicious food and a drink or two to celebrate the Christmas season while raising funds for a worthy cause.
On the night there were 4 exclusive U2 VIP tickets for the first Sydney U2 Concert in December 2010 on offer. These priceless tickets had been donated to the Australian Ireland Fund Young Leaders Network courtesy of the Band. Funds raised through the online raffle and the raffle held at the Opera Bar will go towards the U2 National Music Tuition Programme which is a scheme to offer children and young people in Ireland the opportunity to learn a musical instrument and/or avail of vocal tuition. U2 is also making a personal contribution to towards this worthy cause.
A special thanks to Australian Ireland Fund Young Ambassadors Sophie Curran, Clare Foley, Dermot McCann, Brendan Sheehan and Fiona Tuite, and Fund Director Peter Ryan and Bruce Solimon of Opera Bar for providing and hosting such a stylish evening. Also a special mention and thanks to the newest Australian Ireland Fund Director and Young Leader Ambassador, Ciaran Davis, CEO of Australian Radio Network.
Special guests on the day also included Chairman Charles Curran AC, Executive Director Teresa Keating, Director Briege Tuite and Consul General Caitriona Ingoldsby.
The Celebration turned out to be a brilliant evening for the Australian Ireland Fund Young Leaders and was no doubt an indication of the great potential of an inspired group the Australian Ireland Fund Young Leaders Network will be.
