Jake Freeman

23rd ANNUAL RED GALA BALL @ GRAND HYATT HOTEL MELBOURNE

Jake-Freeman-interviewing-Hugh-Jackman-and-Deborra-Lee-Furness-on-the-red-carpet-at-the-23rd-Annual-Red-Ball-Gala
Jake-Freeman-interviewing-Hugh-Jackman-and-Deborah-Lee-Furness-on-the-red-carpet-at-the-23rd-Annual-Red-Ball-Gala

There was plenty of glitz and glamour at last week’s 1950s retro TV themed Annual Red Ball Gala at the luxurious Grand Hyatt Hotel in Melbourne. All the proceeds of the event go to the Fight Cancer Foundation.

Of course all eyes were on the red carpet when Fight Cancer Foundation’s patrons and humanitarians, Hugh Jackman and his wife Deborah-Lee Furness arrived.

The Hollywood power couple, who next year celebrate 20 years of marriage, have been with the Foundation since the beginning. The inspiration came from Furness’s mother.

Deborah told Sydney Arts Guide, “My mother Faye Duncan was one of the original board members who started this committee and it started as a simple sausage sizzle and cooking bake offs. We began really small and have come so far, over 20 years on, with a lot of hard work and a lot of wonderful volunteers and support to make it such a wonderful event”.

The family has been busy since returning to Australia, particularly Hugh Jackman who is promoting his new movie PAN, in cinemas later this month and preparing for his national Broadway musical tour, later this year. It is already sold out, even after additional shows were added.

Now in its 23rd year, The Annual Red Ball has established itself as one of Melbourne’s and indeed Australia most popular and exclusive charity events, raising millions of dollars towards cancer research and support.

The evening was very successful. There were musical performances, speeches, raffles, prizes and auctions with a mystery guest paying $50,000 for a private dinner with Hugh Jackman and Deborah-Lee Furness.

The star-studded guests at the function included Eric Bana and his wife Rebecca, Neighbours stars Alan Fletcher and Stefan Dennis, Real Housewives of Melbourne Gina Liano and Gamble Breaux, Shane and Clayton Jacobson, Archie Thompson, Geoffrey Edelstein and Gabi Grecko. The gala event was hosted by popular TV presenter Kerri-Anne Kennerley, who looked stunning in her appropriate red dress and red shoes as she walked down the red carpet.

Published by Jake Freeman

Jake Freeman is a junior administration assistant, editor, camera operator and filmmaker. Jake has previously completed his studies in Film and Television at the Northern Melbourne Institute of Tafe (NMIT) and in Business Administration at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT). During his business studies Jake co-managed and hosted a major fundraising event as part of his course assessment that raised over $1000 with guest speakers from the The Big Issue and The Oaktree Foundation in attendance. He has worked for Channel 31, SYN Media and RMITV in various roles such as camera operator, editor and director. Jake has recently been writing and performing stand-up comedy in various Melbourne venues.