Mitchell Waugh’s Public House Management Group has served up another spectacular rugby and philanthropy-filled lunch at the Woollahra Hotel, raising over $200,000 for Sydney Children’s Hospital.
2017 marks the second instalment of the PHMG Rugby Lunch charity event, backed by one of the industry’s venerable hotelier families. The inaugural lunch last year saw an impressive $125,000 raised for the Sydney Children’s Hospital at Randwick.
Yesterday 120 guests, including players, celebrities and industry veterans, assembled at the elegant Woollahra Hotel before taking places in the pub’s famous French restaurant, Bistro Moncur.
Ramping up last year’s offering, the auction process was headed by a $25k package for up to 10 people to stay at Whale Beach’s prestigious Cetacean house, with a private dinner party catered by PHMG’s internationally acclaimed group chef, Guillaume Brahimi, and drinks by PHMG’s AHA National cocktail bartender of the year, Kurtis Bosley.
Auction 2 brought a luxury ‘Portugeiser’ watch from IWC Schaffhausen, with accompanying private lunch and interactive watchmaking masterclass at Bistro Moncur, valued in total at $15,500.
Auction 3 offered bidders a chance to cruise Sydney harbour with up to 11 friends aboard Luxury Boat Syndicates’ new Absolute 52 Fly motor cruiser, enjoying seafood platters from Nicholas Seafood and a beverage package provided by PHMG, total value $7,000.
Auction 4 was the chance to enjoy a $5,000 Christmas Party package at any PHMG venue.
There were also a selection of Raffle and other prizes, including a Thredbo Ski Resort package valued at $2,500, a One&Only Wolgan Valley mid-week getaway worth $2,500, a Trivett bespoke Aston Martin experience to lunch was Jonah’s at Whale Beach for $1,800, as well as generous Andrews Meats and Penfolds prize selections.
Proceedings were catered with Bistro Moncur delicacies, the likes of French onion soufflé, Sauvignon Blanc-marinated salmon, and grilled sirloin – furthering PHMG’s already generous contributions for the day.
Funds raised came via the $300 ticket sales, raffles and auction items, but also Damien Cooley of Cooley Auctions called for personal pledges that saw over $100,000 raised alone from magnanimous attendees.
The end of festivities saw collections and pledges total an amazing $214,000.
Every dollar raised is going to the palliative care unit at the Hospital, which focuses on enhancing quality of life for children with life-limiting conditions, as well as support for the family, including symptom management, respite and care throughout death and bereavement.
“Public House is committed to supporting the communities in which our hotels operate and I’m delighted that our annual Rugby Lunch has once again raised much needed funds for the Sydney Chidren’s Hospital, Randwick – Palliative Care Unit,” reported PHMG director Mitchell Waugh.
