FIVE Brisbane Markets community members were honoured for more than 40 years of service recently, and join a long list of people who have centred their lives and careers around the wholesale fresh produce industry.
The men – Craig Chard, Spiro Charchalis, Robbe Mann, Mark Moore and Peter Tighe – were congratulated by Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries, Mark Furner, with mentions of absent recipients, Geoffrey McIlwaine and the late Col Follett.
They award recipients joined about 500 industry guests who jazzed it up at the biggest night on their social calendar – the Brisbane Produce Market Gala Dinner, held at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre.
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It was a night of comedy as celebrated comedian Lawrence Mooney taking to the stage, along with great food and dance in a room resplendent of the Great Gatsby’s roaring ‘20s era.
There was plenty of toe-tapping with a pianist, jazz trio and nine-piece band, Oz Hornz.
A caricaturist spent hours drawing many of the guests, but for those wanting something more instantaneous, people lined up at a silhouette media wall to take their selfies or have professionals snap them in their finery.
The Brisbane Markets community raised $6600 dollars for its charity partner, Diabetes Queensland, with a raffle staged during the evening.
Guests from Bowen Gumlu Growers Association, Bundaberg Fruit and Vegetables Growers Association, Queensland Strawberries, Australian Melon Association and the Lockyer Valley Growers Incorporated joined with government representatives, retailers and wholesalers to enjoy the night.
The evening was made possible by Brisbane Markets Limited and Brismark, who thank major sponsors Toyota Material Handling, Origin, Motorama, HopgoodGanim Lawyers, SBP Australia, Suez, Crisp Power & Control and RBC/HP.
