Club hosts fundraising gala dinner

The National Weekender
COMMUNITY
Money raised will be spent on building resource centre

SOROPTIMIST International Port Moresby Club recently hosted its biggest annual fundraising event, the Hollywood-themed gala dinner, at the prestigious Hilton Hotel and Suites.
The event on the evening of Saturday, Feb 24 event was nothing short of spectacular, with the entire venue transformed into a dazzling Hollywood scene. From the moment guests arrived, they were transported into the glitz and glamour of Tinseltown, thanks to the meticulous planning and execution by the chair committee led by Courtenay Chue.
Courtenay, along with committee members Kathy Chue, Tanya Kassman, Nandita Chopra, Mia Bray, Dame Monica Salter, Loulou Tan, and Sapna Shaligam, worked tirelessly from Thursday to Saturday to ensure every detail was perfect. Attendees spared no effort in embracing the theme, arriving dressed to the nines in their finest Hollywood-inspired attire. The Hilton ballroom was abuzz with excitement as guests mingled and posed for photos against the backdrop of iconic Hollywood landmarks
For the Soroptimist International Port Moresby Club, this event held special significance as it marked the return of their annual gala dinner after a hiatus of three years due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The anticipation and excitement were palpable as guests eagerly awaited the evening’s entertainment.
Australian-based entertainers Geed Up took to the stage and captivated the audience with their electrifying performance. Laughter, dancing, and singing filled the ballroom as guests let loose and immersed themselves in the magic of the evening.
“It was a night to remember,” remarked one guest, echoing the sentiments of many attendees who were blown away by the unforgettable experience. Another guest marvelled at the event’s success and wondered how other organisers of similar balls could top such an extraordinary evening.
Amidst all the glitz and glamour, it was important to remember the purpose behind this grand celebration. The Soroptimist International Port Moresby Club is dedicated to improving the lives of women and girls in the local community and beyond. Through their fundraising efforts, they support various initiatives aimed at empowering women, promoting education, and advancing gender equality.
As the lights dimmed on another successful gala dinner, guests departed with memories of a magical evening and a renewed sense of purpose in supporting the important work of Soroptimist International Port Moresby.
The Hollywood-themed gala dinner was not just a glamorous affair but also a crucial fundraising event for their major project – the training and resource centre. This ambitious project aims to establish a two-storey, multi-purpose centre at Kennedy Estate, 8-Mile, which will serve as a hub for various training programmes and community activities for women and girls.
The training and resource centre will cater to a wide range of needs, offering training programmes in basic literacy, cooking, sewing, computing, and more. Additionally, the centre will provide counselling and meeting rooms, as well as conference facilities for women’s groups and organisations to utilise. With a projected cost of between K3 million and K4.5 million to build, fit out, and establish an operational team, Soroptimist International Port Moresby has been actively fundraising for this transformative project. The project was initiated by former president Barbie Mohan and her executive back then. Committees of all volunteering women and girls have given their time and efforts to keep this project rolling. So far over the years the Soroptimists have raised a little over K1.4million.
However, there is still a substantial funding gap to bridge, and the organisation is reaching out to various organisations and businesses to come on board as major donors and sponsors to support the construction of the training and resource centre. The executive committee is currently awaiting building board approval to proceed with the groundbreaking.
“We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all our supporters and major donors who have generously contributed to our initiatives over the years,” said a spokesperson for Soroptimist International Port Moresby. Your belief in the work we do has been instrumental in driving our efforts forward.”
In addition to fundraising, Soroptimist International Port Moresby is also seeking to expand its membership base. As part of a global women’s organization, they are inviting strong, compassionate women to join their ranks and contribute to this milestone project.
Those interested in becoming members are encouraged to attend a monthly meeting to learn more about how they can make a difference and be part of this transformative initiative.
As Soroptimist International Port Moresby continues to strive towards building a brighter future for women and girls in the local community, they are grateful for the support of their donors, sponsors, and members who share their vision of empowerment and equality.
For more information, email [email protected] and visit the Facebook page.

  • Article and picture supplied by Soroptomist International Port Moresby Club.