Each year, Yalari hosts Gala Dinners in Sydney, Adelaide, and Brisbane, along with a Cocktail Function in Melbourne.
These events provide a wonderful opportunity for supporters to connect with our students and alumni and celebrate their achievements.
Our largest event in Brisbane draws over 800 guests, and behind each event there is a Dinner Committee made up of dedicated volunteers.
Ted and Cathy McArdle at the 2022 Yalari Brisbane Gala Dinner
These volunteers play a crucial role in our events, from assisting with ticket sales, to spreading the word within their networks and helping us expand our supporter base. They also leverage their connections to secure donations for our live and silent auctions, which are vital for raising funds to support Yalari and our student scholarships. Additionally, the Dinner Committees take charge of organising event details, including table decorations, theming, and logistical support.
One standout member of the Brisbane Dinner Committee is Ted McArdle, who has been involved since 2015. Ted recalls how he and his wife, Kathy, started supporting Yalari’s mission. “My wife Kathy and I were invited by a friend to join her table at the Brisbane Yalari Dinner” said Ted. “I found the Yalari story as told by Waverley that night truly inspiring,” he says. A few years later, Mary Boydell, former Chair of the Yalari Board, encouraged Ted to join the Dinner Committee, which he has proudly chaired for the past four years. Ted’s connection with Yalari also came through one of Yalari’s partner schools, Scots PGC, through his previous role as board director.
“Yalari as a charity appeals to me in a number of ways,” Ted explains. “It makes available an education that the scholarship recipients probably wouldn’t otherwise receive. Education is a gateway to a meaningful life for anyone.”
Ted finds great fulfillment in his committee involvement; “it gives me a sense of accomplishment in contributing in a meaningful way to the welfare of our country’s Indigenous youth. Ultimately that benefits Australlia as a whole.”
When asked about memorable moments from the Gala Dinners, Ted highlights a particularly inspiring memory: “A year 8 Yalari student [attending Anglican Church Grammar School] addressed the audience of several hundred people. His self-assurance and articulation of his message were amazing – a result of his personality and character, his schooling and his ideals. It was an inspiration for Yalari volunteers.”
Ted’s unwavering commitment to Yalari reflects his alignment with Yalari’s CORRIE values, and his belief in the power of education to transform lives. Through his dedicated efforts, he not only supports Indigenous youth in their educational journeys but also inspires others to contribute their skills through volunteering.
