Rugby Breakfast / Lets Talk Rugby
The Trust’s annual “Lets Talk Rugby” Breakfast was held on Tuesday 16th August 2011 at the Parmelia Hilton Perth Hotel with 240 guests attending.
Once again we had a good Rugby Panel led superbly by Wallaby great Mr Tim Horan AM. Alongside Tim was Senior Coach of the Western Force, Mr Richard Graham, Mr Brett Sheehan (Western Force player) and good Trust friend and former Wallaby Mr John Welborn.
Our Trust was very privileged to have the Commanding Officer, SAS Regiment and our 2 VC recipients, Cpl Ben Roberts-Smith VC MG & Cpl Mark Donaldson VC as guests at the Breakfast. The CO, SASR gave a very fine Speech to the guests prior to the conclusion of the Breakfast thanking them for their support of the Trust and how much it means to his men knowing the Trust is there to support them and their families.
Our Master of Ceremonies, the “best in the business” Mr Trevor Jenkins (ABCTV) kept the Breakfast moving along at a good pace. Trevor’s interview with Australian Champion Sudoku player Mr Mick Colliss was very funny indeed and Mick entertained the guests with some of his sports poems. Mick generously donated some profits from his book sales to the Trust (a great read).
Mr Rob Druitt enticed guests to part with their hard earned monies at the Charity Auction, Rob is an outstanding Auctioneer and we are very grateful for Rob’s continuing support of our Trust and the SAS Regimental family.
All monies raised from this Breakfast went to the new Trust codenamed “Project Excalibur” which provides funds to cover costs for respite holidays for those members of the SAS Regiment, who in the opinion of the Commanding Officer need a break away from operational duties.
The Trustees would like to express their sincere appreciation to Mr Sam Davis & Ms Megan Long of Westpac Private Bank Perth for helping the Trust secure Mr Tim Horan AM as a Guest Speaker. They also assisted with auction items being a framed/signed swimming cap by Olympic champion Mr Grant Hackett, a signed Wallabies Jersey by Mr John Eales & Mr Tim Horan and Tim also generously signed a Rugby Ball. Thanks also go to former Force player Mr David Pusey at RBS Morgans for his support of the Breakfast.
Planning is already underway for the 2012 Rugby Charity Breakfast; all we need is the 2012 Wallabies Test programme and the date the “Men in Gold” come to Perth. As soon as the date is available the information will be placed on the website.