An evening among friends

Thank you to everyone who supported our 60th Anniversary Gala Dinner on Thursday 1 November; it truly was an evening among friends.

We are thrilled to announce that we raised just over $185,000 toward our Accommodation Appeal, which was launched at our Gala Dinner. 

As we celebrated 60 years and acknowledged the founding families and community that make Inala what it is today, we were thrilled that Geoffrey and his mother Susan were able to attend, likewise Russell and his sister Robin and her husband Peter, and Edith and Peter, Andrew Bak’s parents.

Indeed it was an evening to recognise and thank all those who have shaped Inala in great ways and small, but most of all, to acknowledge and celebrate our clients, who have not just brought us all together, but who make our lives richer.

The Inala Ensemble played ‘May it Be’ by Enya, which was dedicated to Andrew Bak and all Inala founders, and ‘Aquarium’ from The Carnival of the Animals by Camille Saint-Saëns to much applause. We were also pleased to unveil a commemorative mosaic and a stunning felting work, both of which were made in celebration of our anniversary, and that all involved with Inala were able to take part in.

We would like to acknowledge His Excellency General The Honourable David Hurley AC DSC (Ret’d), Governor of New South Wales, and Mrs Linda Hurley for their support of the evening. In his speech, the Governor congratulated Inala and the founding families for 60 years of supporting individuals living with disability. He commented:

‘Australia needs more organisations like Inala that enable people living with disability to move in to the community and do the things we take for granted – things like going for a coffee with a friend – and experience a rich and meaningful life.’

We would also like to thank our local member, Mr Damien Tudehope and our patron of twenty years Blanche d’Alpuget for attending.

Thanks also go to our MC Anne Fulwood for engaging our audience and to speakers Bill Best, Chairman, and Nicole Eagling, mother of Renee, for their inspiring stories of how Inala has changed their lives, and the lives of their children.

‘Inala’s uniqueness lives in the way individuals are seen, and valued, and believed in.’ Martin Porteous, Joint CEO

Congratulations to Christine Robertson, winner of the beautiful Jan Logan necklace and Rob Cropper, the lucky winner of the luxury Kenyan safari from the Classic Safari Company.

Finally, we would like to acknowledge the support of Bill Buckle, Ellerston Capital, Jan Logan, The Classic Safari Company, Le Montage, Martin and Pleasance, National Car Search Australia, and Sportscraft.

To one and all, thank you for supporting Inala, and for helping to create opportunities for connection and growth for those living with disability.