Festival raises $34,600 for Cancer Council
The entrants in the Brisbane Water Oyster Festival raised $34,600 and every dollar went to Cancer Council's 'Breast Cancer Challenge', festival chairman Ms Debra Wales has announced.
"The girls were judged by two independent panels consisting of a representative from the Cancer Council and business people," Ms Wales said.
"No one from our organizing committee was on the judging panel.
"We didn't even know how much the girls had raised until the announcement at the Oyster Festival Ball.
"Because of the six-week time period for the girls, our expectations were probably around $5000 but when it was announced by Matthew Wales that we had raised $34,600 we nearly fell over.
"These young women are extraordinary women, not only did they help one another at times but there was a lovely camaraderie between the girls."
The 11 entrants to the Queen of the Oyster Festival contest included Karen Doherty, Leah Langford, Sarah Fry, Lyndal Keyzer, Jessie Hartley, Kyla Edwards, Kim Smith, Kellie Bourke, Mia Hart, Miss Charity Queen Kate Davey and Queen of the Oyster Festival Ms Rebecca Foley Maitland.
Sponsors included Brisbane Water Private Hospital, Woy Woy Rotary, Domayne, Express Advocate, The Rocks Arcade, Club Umina, Ettalong Beach Memorial Club, Prestige Properties Ettalong Beach, Bremen Patisserie, Everglades Country Club and LAW Building Design.
Gosford Council also donated $5000 towards the Brisbane Water Oyster Festival.
Ms Wales said that each entrant had a sponsor and raised money for breast cancer by cocktail parties, raffles, fashion parades and even garage sales.
"They worked very hard," Ms Wales said.
"Jerry and Nina Altavilla gave us a movie premiere night and put on a cocktail evening for the girls.
"They were presented to the public on this evening.
"The whole concept has been a great success and we will continue with the Queen of the Oyster Festival to support breast cancer again this year."
Press release, January 27
Debra Wales, Brisbane Water Oyster Festival