connect 2017 • 106 March, 2017 The Ireland Funds Australia welcomed friends, sponsors and supporters, new and old, to Kensington Street’s Olio for a very special occasion. The evening was an opportunity for newly-appointed Chairman Yvonne Le Bas and the Board of The Ireland Funds Australia to celebrate The Ireland Funds Australia’s 30th Anniversary, no small feat for any organization. The theme of the evening was celebration, alongside some gentle encouragement for supporters to dream big dreams for the next 30 years. The Chairman welcomed guests with a special mention for former Chairmen, Charles Curran AC, John O’Neill AO and Alan Joyce, Irish Ambassador to Australia Breandán Ó Caollaí and the evening’s host Dr Stanley Quek. The evening included Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull’s letter of congratulations, which had particular impact given the PM’s his- tory with The Ireland Funds Australia, having been a supporter since sit- ting on the inaugural committee in 1987. A special presentation was made to Executive Director Teresa Keating who has been with the organization from the beginning followed by the unveiling of the freshly finished 30th anniver- sary video acknowledging the achievements of The Ireland Fund of Australia. Guests were then serenaded by a trio from the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, (kindly provided thanks to Tim Harrowell, Regional Manager NSW/ACT of Emirates) who closed with a beautiful rendition of Danny Boy. The Ambassador spoke to guests and read a letter from Irish President Michael D. Higgins, recognizing the Funds’ contribution to peace and reconciliation and to strengthening the ties between the two countries. The evenings gen- erous host – Dr Stanley Quek, Chairman of The Ireland Funds Singapore – thanked guests for coming and closed proceedings with a challenge to all those in the room, to redouble efforts in this 30th year, to give back and help more people in need. The Ireland Funds Australia 30th Anniversary Celebration 1 4 7 2 5 8 6 3 1 Dr Stanley Quek, Yvonne Le Bas, Alan Joyce 2 Dr Stanley Quek, Frank Curran, John O’Neill, AO, Brian Fox 3 Shane Lloyd, Alan Joyce, Teresa Keating, Paul & Marie O’Brien 4 Peter & Patricia Brennan, Amb. Breandán Ó Caollaí 5 Ted Johnson, Tina Alexandrou, Dr Tom Moore, Drs Frank & Ailbhe Cunningham 6 Yvonne Le Bas 7 Louise Kelly 8 Yvonne Le Bas, Teresa Keating, Peter Ryan, Melissa Fisher AROUND THE WORLD AUSTRALIA Photos: Matt Teague