In recognition of your support this year, the Chairman and Board of The Australian Ireland Fund invited the members of the Young Leaders Network to join together for an intimate reception to meet the Board of Members of The Fund. Neill O'Muilleoir spoke in place of Chairman John O’Neill AO who was detained in meetings that day and could unfortunately not join us.
Other Speakers on the day included Yvonne Le Bas Treasurer of The Australian Ireland Fund, Nessa O’Sullivan Group CFO of Coca Cola Amatil, and Sarah Mangan Deputy Head of Mission at the Irish Embassy. The event was hosted by Gordon McCann and Sparke Helmore and was exclusively for registered members of the Young Leader Network and close to 80 supporters were present.
Neill O'Muilleoir gave an overview of the Worldwide Ireland Funds which is now active in 12 countries around the world. Neill was heavily involved with The American Ireland Fund and the Promising Ireland campaign. Treasurer Yvonne le Bas talked about the education she received in Ireland which allowed her to have a successful career and explained that is why supporting projects of education in Ireland and Australia is so important to her
Yvonne went on to present our guest speaker Nessa O'Sullivan with some beautiful Waterford Crystal as a way of The Australian Ireland Fund honouring Nessa for her achievements in business here in Australia.
Nessa went on to share with Young Leaders and Board members present her journey to where she is today including growing up in Dublin 4 – her parents and the strong work ethic they instilled in her and her siblings and that through hard work they could succeed and achieve in life. Nessa gave great insights into the business experiences she had gained during her career and how they shaped her to learn from those experiences good and bad. Nessa was also lucky enough to have wonderful supporters throughout her career including David Gonski as a Mentor.
Sarah Mangan, Deputy Head of the Irish Embassy in Canberra rounded out the speakers telling guests present that the Irish economy was turning the corner. She thanked supporters of The Australian Ireland Fund on behalf of the Government and people of Ireland, not only for their financial support of our projects in Ireland but also their friendship, concern and interest in Ireland.
Our thanks went to Gordon McCann and Sparke Helmore for hosting the event in their beautiful CBD offices.
