Charity ball with Oceanic Flavour (News)

HUNDREDS of people are set to attend a charity ball with an oceanic flavour later this month. The annual event, organised by the Australian Association of Bahrain (AAB), will bring together Australians, New Zealanders and other nationals for fun and philanthropy. "We're expecting around 700 people to attend the ball this year," AAB administrator Tina Hunt told the GDN. "We also have around 250 people coming in from Saudi Arabia for this event." The association aims to raise funds for three charities they chose to help this year. "We're aiming to raise BD5,000 at this year's ball for The Palm Association, The Children's Academy and Alia Centre for Early Intervention," said Ms Hunt. "Last year's ball at the Gulf Hotel attracted more than 670 people and we raised BD4,000 for various charities. "The ball is an annual feature of the association that portrays Australia as a multicultural society while raising funds for a good cause." Down Under the Sea is the theme of the charity ball, which will be held at the Gulf Hotel's Gulf Convention Centre on May 20. "People refer to both Australia and New Zealand as Down Under most of the time," said Ms Hunt. "Our theme reflects that with an underwater twist as well. "The ballroom will be lit up with blue lights with star fish and sea horses as centre pieces." The evening will also offer an exotic array of sumptuous Australasian fare, said Ms Hunt. "We have a four-course Australian menu which includes crocodile and kangaroo meat and the quintessentially Australian barramundi fish," she said. "We also have New Zealand lamb as well as beverages from both the countries." Entertainment for the night will be provided by local band Frankie's Friends and DJ Ralph will play a selection of songs from Down Under. Batelco is the main sponsor of the event and AAB's event sponsor for the year while Gulf Brands International, Bahrain Duty Free and DHL are other sponsors of the ball. Tickets for the black tie event are priced at BD32 for members and BD40 for non-members and are still available. Founded in the 1970s, AAB has 250 members and more than 900 others on its distribution list. The association recently held a commemorative service to honour members of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) who fought at the Gallipoli Peninsula in Turkey during the First World War. The ANZAC Observance Day is one of the main events in the association's calendar. The AAB also hosts business and social events through its Australian Business Group and the Australasian Women's Group. The charity ball will begin at 7pm. For more details contact the association at aab@australiabahrain.com or Ms Hunt at 38395803. Copyright 2010 Al Hilal Publishing and Marketing Group 'Charity ball with Oceanic flavour', Gulf Daily News, May 14, 2010, Jennifer Gnana