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"from gold coast with love" It was just after Christmas and I was contemplating opening a cool Corona as I dangled my feet in the pool when the phone rang. My good friend Normie Rowe said "Mate, I'm watching this Tsunami disaster on TV and I feel we've got to do something to help these people. Can you pull a fund raising concert together?” So began one of the busiest and most rewarding weeks of our lives, culminating in a stellar concert that ended up raising over $400,000 with which Queensland Health bought badly needed medicines and shipped them on our behalf to Aceh.
I formed a steering team which included Mick Ellison (owner of Mano’s on Tedder Ave), Patrick Tessier from Salefest Advertising (a good mate who was actually on the Gold Coast on holidays!), staging guru Rrrray McGuire, PR extraordinaire Judy Dean and of course, Normie. Calling in favours from far and wide, the vision began to take shape. Thanks to the goodwill of the Royal Pines Resort and Tennis Australia we were given a venue – the undercover tennis courts with its entire temporary infrastructure including grandstand seating! The down side – it was all going to be pulled out on Monday the 10th. It had to be Sunday 9th January or not all! Jacquie & Brooke in our office began ringing the performers – many of them at home as they and their managers were still on holidays. Jack Strom, Vanessa Amorosi’s manager was first cab of the rank. “Count us in – Vanessa wouldn’t miss it for anything!” Australian music legends Brian Cadd & Glenn Shorrock and top Queensland band Honey quickly followed. Top comedian Fred Lang jumped at the chance to warm up the audience. Normie rang - “Ty Noonan from George & Kevin Borich are in”. Then it was Jeff Chandler calling to say “Troy Cassar-Daley will be there”. Jacquie called our good mate Venetta Fields – her reply “Honey .. anything you want … you’ve got it!”
We decided the show needed some of Australia’s brightest young stars and all thoughts went to the “Australian Idols”. Ricky Lee, a Gold Coast favourite and Courtney Murphy were our picks but we hit a snag. Due to contractual obligations they were not allowed to perform! Normie jumped on the phone and called top entertainment promoter Michael Chugg “Chuggie, we need these guys what can you do?” The necessary calls were made and before we knew it they too were on the bill. Finally who would compere? “Let’s get “Australia’s Bachelor of the Year” chirped up Brooke and the next day he too was “in”. Sound,
lights, stage, advertising, security, tickets, posters, photography,
video,
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| A huge thanks to all the volunteers, sponsors, the Qld Government (they matched, dollar for dollar the money we made) our good friends in the entertainment business and my mates on the “team” who made this an event we are never likely to forget. |  Ty Noonan. |
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