A Jubilee Gala Dinner and Charity Auction will mark 25 years of the Gay Auckland Business Association next month. Up for grabs: 2008's GABA auction raised over $11K Now confirmed for St Matthew-in-the-City church in Auckland City on Friday 23 April, the event will relaunch the GABA Auction, traditionally held in December but postponed last year. "The event is called 'Jubilee' to acknowledge and celebrate 25 years of GABA supporting the gay community in Auckland," GABA President Gavin Hyde tells GayNZ.com. "Combining this with a re-launched auction is the perfect way to raise funds to enable us to continue our important charity work." The soon-to-be-announced ticket price will include a silver-service three-course dinner catered by Dawsons. The night will be MC'd by former Good Morning host Steve Gray, and will feature a top-level set of performances, says GABA Executive member Glenn Sims. "The auction itself will feature a range of money-can't buy items and experiences including a dance lesson with Candy Lane and Tamati Coffey, a unique signed item donated by John Key, and a garden consultation with celebrity gardener Tony Murrell," he explains. Michelle Maitland from George Walker Auctions will return once again to wield the hammer for the live Auction. Members of the public will also be able to bid on a range of lots on TradeMe – including items donated by Navman, and a winning match ball signed by The Wellington Phoenix and All Whites Coach, Ricki Herbert. The event is being described as 'Black Tie optional'. "Guests are encouraged to dress up and make this a really special night and a photographer will be on-hand to capture guests on this special occassion," says Gresham Bradley, Chair of the GABA Charitable Trust. "St. Matthew-in-the-City is a wonderful space to hold an event of this kind and Jubilee will set a new level for events in the LGBT community," he adds. "We want to see more money being raised to support the many organisations in need. The GABA Trust is the only non- aligned charity with a completely open application process and of course we are hoping to grow the GABA Tertiary Scholarships to help talented young GBLT men and women get a good education." In the past decade alone the GABA Charitable Trust has donated in excess of $150,000 to a broad range of gay-run organisations including Rainbow Youth and OUTLine. Items for the Auction are now being called for. Email ruth@redflame.co.nz to donate.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News Staff
First published: Tuesday, 16th March 2010 - 4:49pm