One for the diggers
Article by Glen Norris, courtesy of The Courier Mail
The Brisbane business community were out in force on Thursday night for the Soldier On Brisbane Ball at Howard Smith Wharves.
Soldier On – a not-for-profit that provides employment, education and other support services for current and former Australian Defence Force personnel, and their families – was defunded by the federal government last year.
Since then it has been largely supported through donations from, among others, Gina Rinehart, Kerry Stokes and Anthony Pratt. Rinehart and former Governor-General David Hurley have now become co-patrons of the charity.
The packed riverside charity event was split evenly between former and serving servicemen and women, as well as a spread of the Brisbane business sector. Hedge Fund firm Tribeca Investment Partners, headed by local
boy Ben Cleary (illustrated) were the hosts for the evening along with Senex Energy and its outgoing chief executive Ian Davies.
Dignitaries ranged from former head of the ADF and Soldier On chairman Peter Leahy, Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner, and federal Opposition Leader Peter Dutton, while out of towner Jacqui Lambie was sighted with her Queensland-based Senate candidate Ange Harper.
Brisbane’s stockbroking industry was heavily represented with head of Ord Minnett Karl Morris spotted with Morgans CEO John Clifford along with Wilson Advisory boss Duncan Gamble and recently married colleague Dave McCrory.
MST Financial’s Dan Hurren had jetted in from America just in time for the event while Bell Potters’ Andy Gladman was seen having a few rum and cokes with client Justin Slaughter of Agtrade.
