Held on Saturday at a Manhattan bar on 38th Street, aptly called The Australian, the fundraising event was organised by the bar’s owner manager
Matt Astill, an expat Australian from Sydney. It was held in conjunction with the American Australian Association and the office of the Australian Consul General. Mr Astill said instead of holding four or five smaller functions, the three groups decided to bond together to hold one big function. He said the event attracted overwhelming support from New Yorkers and other ex-pat Australians, including actor Geoffrey Rush, and in particular the event was well attended by Australia’s “firefighting brothers” in the New York Fire Department. The bar donated US$2 to the cause for every Australian beer sold, as well as a US$20 cover charge to get through the door. Guests enjoyed Australian beer and wine, live music and other entertainment. Hundreds of New Yorkers packed the Manhattan bar and restaurant during the day as the venue easily reached its capacity of 300.
Australian Consul General John Olsen said the response and turnout for the fundraiser was tremendous.