The countdown continues with 23 days remaining to June 1 when State House opens its doors to 300 patrons who will attend the First Lady Filomena Katonivere’s first major fundraising event in aid of the Pacific Eye Institute in Brown St, Suva.
“We are so humbled at the response of the public” said the Black and White Charity Ball committee member and spokesperson Bernadette Rounds Ganilau.
“What started out as an idea last year in May is coming into fruition and the First Lady and her co-committee members Sulueti Rabuka and Emily Wise Lalabalavu have been hands on in promoting interest in the function and making arrangements for the Fijian cuisine for the evening,” she said.
“When the idea of a fundraising ball at State House was first mooted, the Fiji-China Friendship Association president madam Fang Fang Wu Jamnadas put her hand up and ordered five tables for their members and further volunteered to prepare special Chinese dishes for this very special occasion.”
That concept became a reality when the committee reached out to InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) general manager Lachlan Walker who was more than happy to assist in this event and their chefs will be preparing some of the Grand Pacific Hotel and the Holiday Inn’s iconic dishes. The Asian cuisine will come from the popular Zam Zam restaurant, and, the traditional Fijian fare will be prepared by the Three Maramas, the three respected committee members themselves who will produce dishes unique to their provinces including vakasakera and waci po’i!
“There has been a whole lot of positive energy that has gone into arranging the Black and White Ball and we are so so grateful to our sponsors for their outstanding contributions. Our lucky door prizes and our auction prizes are amazing and we hope that patrons will respond eagerly when bidding during the night as return airline tickets from Air New Zealand and Fiji Airways are included in the line-up.”
“We also have a luxurious cruise with Captain Cook and accommodation at Malolo Resort, the soon to be opened Crowne Plaza Fiji Nadi Bay Resort and Spa, Lewa’s Loft in Savusavu and Nanuku.
“Mark One Apparel has donated signed Fijiana jerseys. Robert Kennedy Fiji has donated a wonderful lithograph from his family estate, Jack’s Fiji has been generous with vouchers for their restaurants and a 33-year-old bottle of Moutai Chinese wine will also be auction together with exquisite pieces of South Sea pearl and jade jewellery from Star Wisdom.
“That will be some auction!”
Tickets at tables are still available and Mrs Ganilau can be contacted on bganilau@gmail.com if you would like to attend.
