Events

Thanks to all who supported our great events in 2009.

Walking the Kokoda Track
Enchanted Evening
Bluefin Gala Ball
Kogarah Mayoral Ball

Still to come.....
The Big Rip

Walking the Kokoda Track

Our sincere thanks to the following companies, individuals and anonymous donors for their generously supporting Learning Links in sponsoring Mr Warren Johnson, the Chief Executive Officer of Learning Links in his walk along the Kokoda Track in August. Warren has beaten his $10,000 target in sponsorships, which will go directly to supporting the life-changing work of Learning Links. We look forward to an update on Warren’s gruelling jungle walk in the next issue of Learning Links News.

Enchanted Evening of Dance, Dance, Dance

A wonderful celebration of dance and a great success for the children and families in Sydney’s west. 

The Hon Kevin Rudd, Prime Minister MP was special guest at this year’s Enchanted Evening Dance, Dance, Dance! and August 22 was certainly an evening to remember at Club Marconi.

For the third year in a row, The Hon. Chris Bowen MP, Member for Prospect and Federal Member for Prospect, Minister for Human Services, Minister for Financial Services, Superannuation & Corporate Law hosted an event for over 400 enthusiastic supporters of Learning Links to raise money for children and families in Sydney’s west.

Just under $70,000 was raised to go towards relocating our services to new premises in Mt Pritchard and our sincere thanks to our donors, sponsors and everyone who attended and made this night spectacular!

The dance entertainment was fantastic, but the hearts of those who attended were stolen by the two children who spoke about their experiences at Learning Links, Melissa Rodriguez and Timote Pamaka.

Children like Melissa and Timote are why Learning Links exists and is trying so hard to raise money to relocate its services in Sydney’s west. Our thanks also to The Hon. Kevin Rudd MP, Prime Minister, for donating his time to speak at our Enchanted Evening and meet our guests. Our thanks to Edward Riley of McGrath Real Estate for donating his time to help raise money by auctioning prizes for Learning Links. To the event organiser, Daniela Fedele and her team from WOW Factor Events, congratulations on another outstanding event. Finally, to everyone who came and had a great time, thank you for opening your hearts to the children and families of Learning Links.

Our sincere thanks to The Prime Minister The Hon. Mr Kevin Rudd MP who made time in his extremely busy schedule to attend the event. His words of support for our children and families and in particular for Melissa and Timote were greatly appreciated. The night was a celebration of some of Australia’s hottest dance talent.

The theme for the evening’s entertainment was ‘Dance, Dance, Dance!’ and it proved a wonderful combination of song and dance with some great audience involvement.

We owe so many people a huge thank you for their support and assistance with this year’s event.

As usual, The Hon Chris Bowen, MP and his staff have been wonderful. Without Chris Bowen’s unfailing support for the children and families of Learning Links in Sydney’s west, tonight would not have happened. The idea for the event came from Chris and we are in awe of his commitment and willingness to support local children and families. Special thanks also to his staff including Nathan Alexander, who played a vital role in ensuring the event became a reality.

Our thanks also to The Hon. Kevin Rudd MP, Prime Minister, for donating his time to speak at our Enchanted Evening and meet our guests.

Our thanks to Edward Riley of McGrath Real Estate for donating his time to help raise money by auctioning prizes for Learning Links.

To the event organiser, Daniela Fedele and her team from WOW Factor Events, congratulations on another outstanding event.

Finally, to everyone who came and had a great time, thank you for opening your hearts to the children and families of Learning Links.

If you are a member of Facebook and would like to see some photos of the event, please click here or click here to go to myspace.

Thank you to our sponsors:

Platinum Sponsors
Smithfield RSL
Colonial First State
Aldi
William Roberts Lawyers
AMP

Gold Sponsors
ETU NSW
Linddales Personnel
Fairfield RSL
PayPal
FPA-Financial Planning Association of Australia

Silver Sponsors
McDonald’s South Hurstville
Macquarie Group Foundation
Talal Yassine
Allens Arthur Robinson
Ezekiel Solomon Partners

Thank you to our donors:

Lugarno Seafood Restaurant
The Australian Ballet
Encyclopaedia Britannica Australia
Mark Anthony Hampton from the
Anaiwan Tribe
LG IMAX Theatre Sydney
Sydney Tramway Museum
Revlon Australasia
Vagabond Cruises
Zig Zag Railway Co-op Ltd
Sydney Tower
Jenolan Caves
Manhattan Super Bowl
Anne’s Kinesiology
Sydney Football Club
LEGO Australia Pty Ltd
ABC
Dymocks
Mogo Zoo
Casio
Historic Houses Trust
Barbara Neilson
Leonie Squires
Dana Faulkner
Captain Cook Cruises
Gavin Carroll
Featherdale Wildlife Park
Penrith Whitewater
Penguin Group
Australian Museum
Australian National Maritime Museum
St Johns Park Bowling Club
Taronga Western Plains Zoo
Dayana Kabbara
Clorax Australia
Deanna M Schreiber from the
Eora Nation
Sara Lee Factory Outlets
Unilever
Sunbeam Corporation Limited
Macquarie Group Foundation
Australia Zoo
WOW Factor Events
Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre
Learning Links’ Beading Group
ANZ Stadium
Jo Rowntree
Oceanworld Manly
Diane Peacock-Smith
Blue Mountains Buses
Simon Osborn
Nepean Belle Paddlecruiser
Avana Beauty Clinics

Bluefin Gala Ball

In 2009, Learning Links was the grateful beneficiary of three large fundraising events and one of these was the Bluefin Gala Ball hosted by Snives and Forks and Watkins Tapsell.

Our sincere thanks to Snives and Forks and Watkins Tapsell for choosing Learning Links to be a beneficiary of this wonderful event. Our thanks to Steve Sidd and Lyn Pearson from Snives and Forks and Michele Byrne, Jodi Proudfoot and Tiana Daly from Watkins Tapsell for organising the event.

Thank you also to all those who attended and those who donated prizes to ensure the event was a success. Thank you also to Jaylee Booshand whose energy and enthusiasm as well as heartfelt story made the night a wonderful celebration of warmth and caring for children who struggle to learn.

Our thanks also to Lara Jean Association, a Bronze sponsor of this wonderful event.

Our thanks also to the wonderful companies who supplied so much to the event:

Thank you also to the following donors and supporters:

AMF Bowling Southgate
Anne’s Kinesiology
ANZ Stadium
Ensemble Productions Pty Ltd
Galluzzo’s Pharmacy
Harley & Jones Design
Jenolan Caves
Just Photos
Lugarno Gourmet Deli
Star Shots Miranda
Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre
Sydney Tower
Utter Professionals
Vagabond Cruises

Kogarah Mayoral Ball Helps Local Children

May 23 was an evening to remember at The Hilton

This year the 2009 Kogarah Mayoral Ball nominated Learning Links as the charity to support with the proceeds of the ball and the evening was hosted by Kogarah Mayor Mr Nickolas Varvaris. The Mayor’s supporters worked tirelessly in the lead-up to the event to ensure it was a great success.

370 people attended and $30,000 was raised to assist children with learning difficulties and their families. Our sincere thanks to the donors, sponsors and everyone who attended and made this night spectacular!

The entertainment was fantastic, but it was the heart warming story from our guest speaker Fay Chiotis about her son Matthew Chiotis who attends Learning Links that stole the show.

The event featured spectacular performances by the Gotham City Horns and Paul Green and his team of dancers. The Wizard of Oz theme saw the characters from The Wizard of Oz Show roving the Hilton ballroom throughout the night and magician Graham E. Kite performed magic tricks at individual tables. Paul Green and his dancers donated their time to provide an electrifying dance production, dazzling the audience with Latin American routines that had everyone wanting to get up on the dance floor.

We owe so many people a huge thank you for their support and assistance with the Kogarah Mayoral Ball.

Firstly our warm thanks to Fay Chiotis for nominating Learning Links as the beneficiary of the Ball and Mr Nickolas Varvaris, Mayor of Kogarah, for hosting the event.

Our thanks to Jacinta Sunderland, Alison Murphy and Daniella Belcheff from Kogarah Council and thanks also to Vicky Katsabaris, Dorette Varvaris, Tony Katsabaris and George Katsabaris who played a vital role in ensuring the event became a reality.

Our thanks also to Jessica Rich from Channel Nine News who donated her time to be the Master of Ceremonies for the night. Our thanks to Cale Johnson for donating his time to photograph the event.

Thank you to all the event’s donors and supporters listed below for their wonderful contributions.

Finally, to everyone who came and had a great time, thank you for opening your hearts to the children and families of Learning Links. Somewhere over the rainbow …Dreams really do come true.

Thank you to the following individuals and companies for supporting the children and families of Learning Links:

St George & Sutherland Shire Leader
Jim’s Cellars
Allawah Hotel
St George Illawarra Dragons
Cricket NSW
Beverley Park Golf Club
Speedo
Crazy Pocket Bikes
Microsoft
Bates Bikes Hurstville
Sans Souci Leisure Centre
XBOX 360
Liondos
Liverpool Printing Service
Model Co
St George Private Hospital
Unilever
Farage
Saint Jax on the Mount
My Emporium
CSL Biotherapies
Sebastian Salon
BridgeClimb Sydney
Football Federation Australia
The Make-up Studio
Elite Beauty
Intimo Lingerie
Lugarno Seafood Restaurant
Shipwrights on the Bay
Lugarno Gourmet Deli
McBride, Harle and Martin Solicitors
Dancing Paul Green
Back to Basics Chiropractic
Fardoulis Chocolates
Golden Century Seafood Restaurant
Zilver Restaurant
Umi Zushi Restaurant
Excelsior Restaurant Kogarah Town
Square
Anthony Mundine

The Big Rip Guiness World Book of Records attempt at tearing apart Yellow Pages’ books Did you know that anyone can learn how to tear a phone book using their bare hands?! This year, this event is the unique fundraising event and world record attempt that shouldn’t be missed!  In an economic downturn, there is nothing like the weird and wonderful to help make us laugh!

Jason Hameister has shown people of all shapes and sizes that tearing a phone book in half involves technique not strength, and that anyone can do it! You too can learn how to tear a yellow pages phone book with your bare hands and start practising for the event. Watch Jason on this film as he teaches you the all-important technique that makes this possible.

Jason has decided to use this amazing technique to not only raise funds for Learning Links, but also to set three Guinness World Records!

• Most phone books torn in 60 seconds by a group.
• Most number of people to participate in a phone book tearing simultaneously.
• Most phone books torn by an individual in 60 seconds.

If you want to be involved here’s how.

• Log onto www.facebook.com and search for The Big Rip – become Jason’s friend and follow this amazing story.
• Volunteer to help before, during and after the event – we need experienced event people, social networkers, sponsors – you name it, we will need it. to discuss how you can help.
• Learn how to rip a book and become involved or if you can’t, sponsor someone.
• Click here to sponsor Jason on Everyday Hero.

Watch this website for more details on this extraordinary event!  Soon to be uploaded is a how to DVD to help you get started on your own ripping experience.

Why is Jason raising money?  His daughter Maia

“Maia is now three and her vocabulary skills are equal to a 12 month old child,” said Jason.

“She makes plenty of child-like babbling sounds but has not progressed into speech. To try to communicate with her we learnt Makaton, a form of sign language, and Auslan, which has been a big success.

“Maia is struggling with learning and understanding most basic skills.  She is ready to go to pre-school and we are just starting to realise the difficulties of finding appropriate schooling for her.  When a child is put into an education system that doesn’t allow them to experience regular success, they can begin to feel that failure is normal.

“Phone book tearing is an exciting way to learn that with the right education and determination, you can succeed at anything. The feeling of tearing your first phone book in half is unbelievable. It is about having belief in your own personal strengths and attributes. That ordinary people can do extraordinary things.

“I use the feat of phone book tearing to educate people about science, about believing in themselves and that anything is possible with the right education and training.”

Top of page