Fashions, Celebs and Good Times for a Good Cause

There are mere moments to go before this year’s Wishlist Spring Carnival Gala lunch. Over 590 of the Coast’s most high profile guests will hobnob at the Palmer Coolum Resort this Friday with the likes of Natalie Barr, Mark Beretta and Mahalia Barnes, whilst aiming to raise over $118,000 for a worthwhile charity.

This year the star-studded event has also attracted a number of other celebrities including speed merchant, Chris Vermeulen, Australian and Queensland cricketer, Lee Carseldine, Ironman Matt Poole and Ironwoman Candice Falzon who are both coming up from Sydney, along with Olympic great, Kieran Perkins.

The event will raise funds to purchase a much-needed Prostate Biopsy Ultrasound for the Sunshine Coast. Guests will have the opportunity to bid on over 100 auction items, to reach the record-breaking total required for the equipment.

Dan Sowden, principal of Ray White Maroochydore, will auction the 12 major items including a one-day BMW Intensive Driver Training Course for two at Phillip Island instructed by Le Mans and Bathurst winner, Geoff Brabham; 120 bottles of wine (including a bottle of Grange) from Travis Schultz’ private cellar; bilateral laser eye surgery by Laser Sight; production of TV commercials from Sound Images; a local ‘dine and stay’ package from Westpac and a fully wrapped bus for eight months from Go Transit.

Mr Sowden, is deeply passionate about his business’ involvement with such a worthwhile local charity.

“Charity events of this calibre are testament to the heart and soul of our community. Each year this affair brings together people from all walks of life to reach one fundamental goal- bettering the lives of those in need. I am honoured to be involved in making a real difference to the livelihood of so many unsung heroes within our own community.”

Wishlist Manager, Lisa Rowe says guests can look forward to a great afternoon of entertainment while bidding on adiverse range of auction items, knowing they will significantly improve the experience for Sunshine Coast men diagnosed with prostate cancer.

“While breast cancer has a very high profile, many do not realise that around 3,300 men in Australia die of prostate cancer every year, which is equivalent to the number of women who die from breast cancer annually,” said Lisa

“We are excited to focus on men’s health this year, an area of health that is often misses out. Currently, one in nine Australian men are expected to be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime. Therefore, we’re looking at a significant number of men who will benefit from us having this equipment in an out-patient setting on the Coast.”

“The Wishlist Spring Carnival Lunch demonstrates the incredibly generous spirit of our supporters on the Coast and we look forward to enjoying a great afternoon with our guests while these great auction items go under the hammer.  Travis Schultz and his team have once again pulled together a fantastic event which is why our tickets sell-out every year prior to public release.  Most of our guests have supported the lunch for the past few years and rebook their table immediately after the event to secure their place.”

Last year’s event saw guests raise over $115K to fund programs offered by the Sunshine Coast Koping Network (SCKoping) for Sunshine Coast children who are affected by a parent or sibling who has a mental health or drug and alcohol condition.  This year, Travis and the committee felt that men’s health would be a good area to focus on and with this equipment being earmarked as high priority, the choice was easy.

“The cause will impact on many men and their families on the Coast and the fantastic response to our call for auction items, which has well exceeded those on offer in previous years shows the community is very much behind this cause,” said Travis, managing partner at Schultz Toomey O’Brien Lawyers.

“We’re also delighted to welcome back our two hosts, Nat Barr and ‘Berretts’ who have both hosted in the past and were keen to get involved again which is a real coup for the Coast and Wishlist.  I’d like to take the opportunity to thank our sponsors and great supporters through the donation of auction items as well as all the guests who contribute so significantly on the day.  It promises to be another awesome afternoon with a great outcome for health services on the Coast.”

For more information on auction items or to make a pledge, please visit www.wishlist.org.au.