cooladelaide.org

Author: Georgia Costello
Date: 20 February 2012
Source: Cool Australia

You would have been going to find more oestrogen in one place on February 14, 2012. Myer’s Mural Hall was all women, wedges (the shoe that is) and world changing conversation as part of Cool Australia’s annual fundraising event, Love Your Planet Valentine’s Day Women’s Luncheon.

Run in conjunction with the Jane Goodall Institute, the sold out event had more than 450 women in attendance and helped raise $35,000 for Cool Australia. It was a day very much devoid of the clichéd Valentines Day trimmings, not a red fluffy teddy or cupid slinging angel in sight. Significantly, green trumped red far beyond décor colourings - it was the philosophy of the day and the Love Your Planet message was the attitude every woman walked away with.

Keynote speaker Debbie Cox from the Jane GoodalI Institute spoke of the important work that JGI carries out and the fact that Jane Goodall is concerned with more than just chimps! Like Cool Australia, JGI focus’ on education as the all important factor in creating real change. As much as Jane Goodall herself would have liked to be in attendance, the 77 year old founder continues to travel 300 days per year and she just happened to be obligated in Tanzania this Valentines Day.

The lovely Catriona Rowntree of Getaway fame and Cool Australia’s own Jason Kimberley emceed the event, ensuring that among the seriousness of the issues that the day was balanced with humour and fun. The grand raffle was the perfect note to end on, enabling the relief of a room full of crossed fingers. And with good reason too!.. First prize was an original Josh Yeldman painting followed by a dozen other high profile prizes from the likes of Kozminsky Jewellers and MARS gallery to name but a few.

Fundraising events are integral to the running of the Cool Australia charity. With your help we are able to continue our work in educating young Australians for a sustainable future. A big thank you to everyone who supported our Love your Planet luncheon. We look forward to seeing you next year!

Check out all the photos from the event by clicking here.