Shelby's Social Diary

Aussies celebrate their national day in true Houston style

The Qantas Choir performs "Deep in the Heart of Texas" at the Australia Daygala.
Photo by Sopheavy Than
HGTV's Jamie Durie of "The Outdoor Room" joined master of ceremonies CameronDaddo, right.
Photo by Sopheavy Than
Susie Annus, from left, Nana Booker and Australian Ambassador to the U.S. KimBeazley
Photo by Sopheavy Than
Cameran Daddo joins gala chair Julie Tushingham.
Photo by Sopheavy Than

It was all things Australian at the Omni Houston Hotel Saturday night when the Australian American Chamber of Commerce hosted 450 guests at the fifth annual Australia Day Gala.

Native Australian, chef Jason Gould was tapped to oversee preparation of the dinner that was presided over by Australian Ambassador to the United States Kim Beazley and honorary Australian consul Nana Booker.

Headliners of the evening were Australians Cameron Daddo, the actor and talk show host who served as master of ceremonies, and Jamie Durie, landscape expert and host of HGTV's The Outdoor Room, who put on the charm.

Cultural highlight of the evening was the Houston debut of the Qantas Choir, making it here following performances at galas in Los Angeles and New York.

The evening honored John Higley, Australian studies professor at the University of Texas; Peter Hartley, professor of economics at Rice University; and artist Janaki Lennie. Proceeds topped $50,000 that will go to the Houston non-profit Project Joy and Hope.

Aussie fans swaying to the after-dinner sounds of the Richard Brown Orchestra included gala chair Julie Tushingham, Grame Barty, Duncan Cole, Chris Rodwell and Wally Mariani.

unspecified

raising glasses

Wine and dine raises spirits for Houston's Catholic Charities

Catholic Charities wine and dine fundraiser 2024

Photo by Johnny Than

Alicia Reggie Freysinger, His Eminence Daniel Cardinal DiNardo, Catholic Charities President Cynthia Nunes Colbert.

An evening of fine dining and philanthropy unfolded at The Revaire for the 2024 Wine and Dine Dinner, benefitting Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston on November 16. With wine glasses in hand and wallets wide open, the stylish and pious savored a night dedicated to lifting up the most vulnerable in the community.

Co-chairs Mikki Hebl and David E. Harvey, Jr., alongside Kerri and Downey Bridgwater, welcomed the crowd, which included His Eminence Daniel Cardinal DiNardo, who blessed the meal. The highlight? A four-course feast by master sommelier Brandon Kerne and chef Ryan Bouillet, paired with wines selected to enhance each bite.

An interactive twist with the secret sip challenge surely added a playful element. Attendees worked together to identify the mystery wine — a 2015 Merite Cabernet Sauvignon from Australia’s Wrattonbully region.

But the night wasn’t just about indulgence. The live auction, emceed by Johnny Bravo, and a moving “fund a need” segment inspired oenophiles to dig deep for Catholic Charities’ programs. Last year, the organization served people in need 358,000 times across Harris, Fort Bend, and Galveston counties, providing essentials like food, housing assistance, and legal aid for immigrants.

Generous support came from sponsors like the Hildebrand Foundation, Congregation of the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word, and Cuenod Families.

Wining and dining were Alicia Reggie Freysinger, Cynthia Nunes Colbert, Penny and Paul Layne, Monit Cheung and Patrick Leung, Ashley and Doug Plaeger, Sandi and Jim Lemming, Carol and Paul Beck, Louise and Bob Parsley, Avalyn Langemeier, Suzanne Werner, Amie Springmeyer, Lori Hessel, Ginger Niemann, Peggy Idstein, Karina and Mark Amelang,and Ellen and Jim Ginty.

Photo by Johnny Than

Alicia Reggie Freysinger, His Eminence Daniel Cardinal DiNardo, Catholic Charities President Cynthia Nunes Colbert.

catholic charities of the archdiocese of galveston-houston fundraisers