Marcia Hines To Be Guest Of Honour Awards
Wednesday, September 14, 2011 at 11:05AM 
Singer and TV Star Marcia Hines will be a guest at this year's Honour AwardsSinger and TV star Marcia Hines will be among a line up of stage and screen celebrities who’ll be launching Sydney’s first ever Big Gay Weekend by attending this year’s Honour Awards.
Ms Hines will join selected Foxtel celebrities as well as 25 finalists at the Ivy’s Sun Room in Sydney on Thursday 29 September to recognise outstanding achievements within or contributions to NSW’s gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) community.
The awards ceremony and cocktail party – an annual gala fundraising event for ACON, NSW’s and Australia’s largest GLBT health and HIV/AIDS organisation – has also been announced as the launch event for New Mardi Gras’ forthcoming Big Gay Weekend and community members are being encouraged to purchase tickets to the event to support ACON’s vital work in the community.
ACON Events Coordinator David Wilkins says the occasion will be a glamorous night of celebration, commemoration and silent auction bargain hunting.
“The chic environs of the Ivy’s Sun Room will make a wonderful backdrop as guests are treated throughout the evening to quality wines and beers, delicious gourmet canapés and great DJs,” Mr Wilkins says.
“There’ll also be a silent auction featuring over 40 sensational items including a 5-star trip for 2 to New York, a new wardrobe of bespoke suits, a private tour of the upcoming Picasso exhibition, tickets to Elton John, Dolly Parton and Dame Kiri plus lots of fashion items and dining experiences as well as art, furniture, mobile devices and professional services. We’ll even be auctioning off a consultation with Olympic athlete and celebrity fitness trainer Ivan Scannell.
“It will be a truly memorable occasion not only for our inspirational finalists but for all our guests whose attendance we’ll be honouring with a really sensational celebration of our community.”
ACON CEO Nicolas Parkhill says money raised from tickets sales and the silent auction will help fund ACON’s vital work in the community.
“While ACON gets a significant amount of funding from NSW Health, that money can only be spent on work we do in relation to HIV/AIDS,” he says. “Our broader work in relation to GLBT health and wellbeing – such as alcohol and other drugs, lesbian health, anti-violence, mental health, ageing, community care and advocacy – is financed by one off grants, fundraising activities and donations.
“To keep this important work going, we rely on the generosity of people and organisations in our community. By coming along to the Honour Awards, community members, their friends and associates can celebrate the dynamic spirit of our community and, at the same time, raise money to help ACON build our community’s health and wellbeing.”
ENDS- Media contact: Michael Badorrek, ACON Media and Communications Manager
T: (02) 9206 2001 M: 0400 358 109
E: mbadorrek@acon.org.au