About the Steve Irwin Day Gala Dinner

This exclusive charity dinner celebrates the life of the one and only Crocodile Hunter, while raising much needed funds for the Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital.

Date: Saturday 9 November 2013

Venue:
Plaza Terrace Room
Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre
Cnr Merivale and Glenelg Streets
South Brisbane QLD 4101

Time: 6:30pm

RSVP: Friday 25 October 2013

Dress: Black tie with a touch of khaki!

Bill McDonald

Bill McDonald has presented Network TEN's News at Five since 2003.

Born in Brisbane, Bill began his journalism career in Queensland, working at Radio 4BK and then as Channel Ten Toowoomba's anchor, sport editor and reporter.

After a decade presenting sport for the 7 Network, Bill joined TEN as producer, reporter, sports anchor, NBL commentator and AFL boundary rider for TEN News in 1996.

One of the most experienced live broadcasters in Queensland, Bill is equally adept at grilling politicians or conversing with A-list personalities. He has interviewed various notables from business and politics, including Queensland Premiers and a host of sporting stars headed by Greg Norman and Carl Lewis.

Bill is active in the community and is an avid supporter of PCYC and Bravehearts, recently riding in The Ride to Conquer Cancer. When not speaking or writing about news or sport, Bill enjoys running and keeping fit, and spending time with wife Julianne and his four sons Jordan, Hamish, William and James.

This is Bill's first time hosting the Steve Irwin Day Gala Dinner and we couldn’t be happier to have him as MC.

Georgina Lewis

Georgina Lewis has been part of Brisbane's Ten News team since 1999. After rising through the ranks she was appointed co-anchor of Ten's popular News at Five in 2007, alongside Bill McDonald. Together they've formed a respected partnership.

After humble beginnings as a news reporter in Queensland's remote north west at Mt Isa, Georgie progressed quickly to covering a myriad of stories in North Queensland, specialising in police and court rounds. At 23 she co-anchored Ten's regional five o'clock news bulletin as well as presented, scripted and produced several documentaries.

Georgina moved to the Brisbane newsroom where she built on her already strong reporting skills on the medical round. For more than four years, Georgie presented weather for the five o'clock newshour, making television history in 2005 with the first live broadcast from the top of Brisbane's Story Bridge.

With a warm and engaging personality, it's no surprise Georgie gives much of her spare time to charity.   She's been an ambassador for Special Olympics Australia and now the Royal Children's Hospital Foundation.

Her love of animals has seen her forge close ties with the RSPCA and the RAAF Foster Care program. Georgie and her husband Paul have raised four military working dogs.

She is also a familiar face around Brisbane's fashion scene, and has been an ambassador for Brisbane's Winter Racing Carnival and is also a valued member of the of the Mercedes Benz Fashion Festival advisory panel.

We are delighted to welcome Georgina to her first Steve Irwin Day Gala Dinner.

Darren Percival

Fresh from his astounding appearances on The Voice Australia Series 1 and news that his album Happy Home debuted at number 3 on the ARIA Album Charts in its first week of release, Darren Percival will perform close to home at the Steve Irwin Day Gala Dinner.

Prior to The Voice, Darren was an independent musician with a loyal fan base. With over twenty years of professional musical experience, he has created a reputation as one of the leading vocalists in the country. He is respected by his peers and enjoys an abundant career in music. His pedigree is impeccable having studied under some of our greatest vocalists; including Kerrie Biddell, Alan Dean and Bobby McFerrin. He played clubs and pubs and was a much in demand vocalist, touring and recording with the best artists and musicians in the business.

Now in 2012, his vocal performances have landed him to a new level of success and a new audience of millions. His coach Keith Urban has helped to inspire the veteran entertainer into an even more confident original artist. We are delighted Darren will be joining us for an amazing night of entertainment.

Bruno Lucia

One of Australia's most popular corporate comedians and television personalities, Bruno Lucia has well and truly earned his comedy stripes playing the live stand up comedy circuit around Australia, the U.S.A, and the U.K.

His list of International stand up comedy credits include "Rascals Comedy Hour" on HBO, in The U.S.A, "Catch a Rising Star" NEW YORK and the "Comedy Store" in LOS ANGELES. In the U.K, " Live at Jongleurs" on UK GOLD, and the "Comedy Store" in LONDON. He has recently performed in places such as Amsterdam, Hong Kong, Bangkok, New Guinea, New Zealand and Tasmania!

This multi faced, multi cultural, multi media performer is a stand up comedian, master of ceremonies, musician, corporate entertainer and actor who is best known for his work on Channel Nine's most successful hit sit com "All Together Now", where he turned the lovable sleaze and agent to the stars "Wayne Lovett" into one of the shows most popular characters and made his phrase "Chicky Babe" a national catch cry.

As an actor, Bruno has featured in many dramatic acting roles guest starring in series such as Stingers, A Country Practice and A Ring of Scorpio. On the big screen he has appeared in movies such as Sweet Talker, Time Guardians and Loves Brother.

In addition to this, as well as writing his own comedy, Bruno is also an accomplished musician and songwriter, having played on the professional rock circuit for ten years.

Big Deal

Big Deal are Brisbane's premier party band with a wealth of experience in corporate, hotel and event work. This 9-piece act has the chemistry to make the dancefloor jump.

As one of Brisbane's most experienced bands, Big Deal deliver cocktail grooves, old school classics, funky R&B, 70's disco, 80's and 90's right up to today's top 40 popular hits.

Big Deal is led by one of Brisbane's most renowned musicians, Vic Kena and showcases 3 singers up front, drums, bass, keys, saxophone, trumpet and guitar.

Plus... some very special Australia Zoo wildlife!

Terri, Bindi and Robert Irwin