CORPORATE SPONSORS Special thanks to the Corporate Sponsors of the 2016 Giant Steps Disco Inferno Ball PLATINUM SPONSOR

SILVER TABLE SPONSORS

ZORAN MITROVSKI BANKSTOWN

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OUR SUPPORTERS 2015 – 2016 Financial & Community Supporters

Financial & Community Supporters

Giant Steps Sydney is grateful for the support provided by the following organisations both financially and as community partners during the past year:

We would like to thank all our parents, friends, community and corporate organisations who have generously supported Giant Steps Sydney over the last eighteen years. In particular, we would like to thank our major sponsors over the last 12 months.

Aberdeen Charity Committee Access Hardware Addisons Lawyers AI Topper & Co PTY LTD Alpha Marketing ANZ Bank Australian Stockbrokers Foundation Bank of New York Mellon BBM BHP Billiton Big W BMK B’NAI B’RITH Foundation

Future Generation Investment Company Gladesville Men’s Bowling Club Gladesville RSL & Community Club Goldman Sachs JB Were Greenhill & Co. Hasbro Australia Hunter Hall Hunters Hill Quilters IKEA International Catering Equipment Jaimee Pty Ltd

Sharegift Australia Shaw Foundation Smith & Nephew Surgical Pty Ltd South West Civil Proprietry Ltd St Ives Shopping Village Sydney Shoulder Research Institute (SSRI) and/or Sydney Shoulder Specialists (SSS) Telstra The Shaw Foundation

LSH Charitable Foundation

Thurlow Fisher Lawyers

Luminis Partners Pty Ltd

Thyne Reid Foundation

Macquarie Group Foundation

TRC Group

Chubb Insurance

Morgan Stanley

Citigroup

Tzedaka Foundation

Myer Community Fund

Colonial First State

Myer Foundation

Commonwealth Bank of Australia Delta Supply Solutions

Nationwide Building Services Pty Ltd

Deutsche Bank

Petra Capital Pty Ltd

Westfield

Device Technologies

Pitcher Partners NSW Pty Ltd

Eden Brae Homes

PricewaterhouseCoopers

Westpac Banking Corporation

Estate of Late William Denton

RBS

White International

FDC Construction & Fitout Pty Ltd

Rubbish Taxi

Wright Medical Australia

Calvert-Jones Foundation Charles and Comelia Goode Foundation

I N V E S T M E N T C O M PA N Y

The Good Guys

Kiwanis Sydney

Brown Wright Stein Lawyers

FUTURE GENERATION

UBS Valerio Funeral Directors Victor Sports

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UPCOMING EVENTS Sydney Tower Stair Challenge

UPCOMING EVENTS RUNNING IN THE CITY2SURF THIS YEAR?

Sunday 21st August 2016 www.active8change.com.au

Why not join our fundraising team? https://city2surf2016.everydayhero.com/au/giant-steps

Giant Steps events you may wish to participate in: Giant Steps Rock Night Saturday 23rd July 2016 www.giantsteps.net.au Sun Herald City2Surf Sunday 14th August 2016 https://city2surf2016.everydayhero. com/au/giant-steps

Giant Steps Sailing Regatta Friday 28th October 2016 www.giantstepsregatta.com Enjoy a great day team building on Sydney Harbour and raising funds for children with autism.

Sydney Tower Stair Challenge Sunday 21st August 2016 www.active8change.com.au The Giant Dinner Saturday 27th August 2016 www.giantsteps.net.au/giant-dinner Giant Steps Breakfast Fundraiser Wednesday 7th September 2016 www.giantsteps.net.au Middle Eastern Night Friday16th September 2016 www.giantsteps.net.au

Annual Greek Night for Giant Steps Friday 22nd October 2016 www.giantsteps.net.au Giant Steps Sailing Regatta Friday 28th October 2016 www.giantstepsregatta.com Giant Steps Bikers Ride Thursday 10th – Sunday13th November 2016 www.giantsteps.net.au

2017 Events Chinese New Year Dinner – February 2017 Giant Steps Three Day Bike Ride – March 2017 Swim4Autism – March 2017 Giant Steps Golf Day – March 2017 For details on all our events please see: www.giantsteps.net.au

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MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIRMAN Celebrate What Love Can Do.

Welcome to the Giant Steps Ball. We are so delighted you could be with us and so thankful for your help. It is wonderful to have friends surround you and support you in times of need. To create something exceptional, to grow together, to change people’s lives. For more than twenty years Giant Steps families and friends have gathered together at our annual Black Tie Ball to help create a wonderful organisation that cares, supports, and educates children and young adults with autism and their families. Together we have seen Giant Steps grow from small beginnings to the point where we now operate an early learning service, a primary school, secondary school, post school programme, mental health clinic, respite and residential support services at our Gladesville campus in Sydney. This year Giant Steps took the truly “Giant Step” of opening a primary school and secondary school in Melbourne.

The Giant Steps Black Tie Ball has always been a night of celebration, a celebration for all we have achieved and will achieve. It is also a night to remember where we have come from and thank those that have helped us along the way. Love and care are wonderful things and it is amazing what they can do. Thank you for joining us at the 21st Giant Steps Black Tie Ball. Thank you for helping us. Enjoy the night. Celebrate what love can do. Barry Irvin AM

Chairman Giant Steps Sydney Opening celebrations; Giant Steps Melbourne

We are so proud of our new campus and so proud of the staff training and development programmes at Giant Steps for our teachers, music, speech, occupational therapists and support staff. The training our staff receive and give each other means that we are one of the few organisations around the world to successfully implement trans disciplinary individualised programmes for our children and young adults. The benefit of our staff training and development programmes can be seen every day at Giant Steps with our team’s skills helping overcome challenges and create opportunities. It was wonderful to have some of our most experienced staff at Giant Steps Sydney put themselves forward and agree to move to Melbourne to lead the team that will no doubt make an enormous difference to the children and families at Giant Steps Melbourne.

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AUTISM

People affected by autism typically display major impairments in social interaction, communication and behaviour (restricted interests and repetitive behaviours). These are commonly referred to as the Triad of Impairments but the impairments may not be evenly spread. While people with autism share common traits, no two individuals are the same. For example, it was once thought that all children with Autism Spectrum Disorder were unresponsive and aloof, never showing affection. We now know ASDs are much more complex with a variety of symptoms and characteristics that can occur in different combinations and varying degrees of severity. Many people with autism also have sensory sensitivities, that is, over or under sensitivity to sight, touch, taste, smell, sound, temperature and pain. As a result of their impairments, people with autism often experience overwhelming anxiety, frustration and confusion when faced with the demands of everyday life.

Giant Steps’ Services Giant Steps has a multifaceted approach to the provision of services to children with autism and their families, whilst spreading a culture of caring and professional excellence through the broader community. Our school provides a transdisciplinary approach to education combining music, occupational and speech therapy delivered across the programs. We also offer professional skill development for staff and other health professionals. Our Community College provides young adults with a relevant and engaging learning and recreational post-school environment. Giant Steps now operates four age-based programs: 1. Early Learning

(3 – 5 year olds)

2. Primary

(5 – 12 year olds)

3. Secondary

(12 – 18 year olds)

4. Community College (school leavers)

Estimates indicate the rate of autism could be at least as high as 1 in 63 Australian school children. It occurs in all racial, ethnic, and social groups and is four times more likely to affect boys than girls. There is no known cure, but early intervention, specialised education and structured support can help develop a child’s skills and minimise behaviour problems, and enable each child, whatever their level of disability, to achieve as great a degree of independence as possible. Experience has shown that the earlier a child with autism can be enrolled in an early intervention program, the better his/her outcomes. With the right help, children can learn to speak, read and participate in everyday life.

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Giant Steps’ Approach

GIANT STEPS MELBOURNE

There is no specific treatment or therapy protocol when it comes to dealing with the condition. As with the spectrum of disorders, there is also a spectrum of treatments and therapies. While some parents will report marked improvements using a therapy or intervention program, others may find little or no impact upon their child’s condition. Some parents may talk of a child ‘recovering’ from autism, while others will find only an improvement in the day-to-day management of their child’s condition. Currently, no therapy or treatment has been empirically verified. However, research suggests that successful programs contain the same key components:

In February 2016 Giant Steps Melbourne, located in the suburb of Kew, opened its doors with an initial enrolment of 11 children. Some staff members from Sydney have transferred to Melbourne whilst other Sydney staff members travel to Melbourne regularly to train and support Melbourne staff. Giant Steps Melbourne fills a much needed gap in the Melbourne autism community and it is anticipated that enrolments will steadily increase over the next few years to take in as many children as possible on our growing Melbourne eligibility list.

•

autism specific curriculum content focusing on attention, compliance, imitation, language and social skills

•

need for highly supportive teaching environments and generalisation strategies

•

need for predictability and routine

•

a functional approach to problem behaviours

•

transition from the preschool classroom

•

family involvement*

(*A review of the Research to Identify the Most Effective Models of Best Practise in the Management of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders, Dr Jacqueline M. Roberts, Sydney University, 2004)

At Giant Steps, a combination of education and therapy combine in a transdisciplinary model of service delivery across the organisation.

Other Services Giant Steps Sydney Offers

Our outreach services range from private speech, occupational and music therapies to educational support, parent training and training amongst professionals and providers in the wider community. We also run a playgroup through Stepping Stones Early Learning for children on the eligibility list, called ‘Play Steps’. During the school holidays we run a respite program for our students to give families a break. We also run 3 age-based siblings programs to support the siblings of the Giant Steps children. In February 2014 Giant Steps opened the Rob Llewellyn-Jones Clinical and Research Centre, a clinic that enablesmedical and mental health professionals to join with our established trans-disciplinary teams in providing timely and appropriate support for our complex population of students. This is the first clinic of its kind within a school setting. The Stepping Stones Diagnostic & Assessment Centre aims to provide families with a formal diagnostic process that minimizes the stress and difficulties often associated with the assessment procedure. Assessments are completed by Giant Steps therapists, who have considerable experience working with young people with autism and developmental delays.

Giant Steps Funding

Giant Steps Sydney is a registered charity (Reg. No. DGR 32778) and all donations are tax deductible. Government funding meets approximately 45% of the cost of running Giant Steps. The remainder is raised through donations and fund-raising events such as the ball. Giant Steps does not charge fees.

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THANK YOU

On behalf of the Giant Steps families, thank you so much to all the donors of the fantastic prizes we have on offer tonight. Also a big thank you to our guests and to everyone who has helped make tonight possible. Your support of our children means a great deal to us all. Giant Steps warmly thanks the following people and businesses for their generosity tonight:

Ball Committee Members

Leanne Maccallum, Jenny Badger, Michelle Jocum, Anna Kelly, Leanne Rawes, Louise Booth, David Trayner, Allie White, Heather Ng, Lisa Bremner, Michelle Bollard, Nikki Hopkins, Kathleen Collins, Sophie Koutsoukos, Aileen Liu, Ian Morris, Ingrid Michalowsky, Diana Kraljevski, Daniela Visevic, Catherine Davies, Halina Kochanowicz, Janette Radevski, Julianne Biasi, Chami Gunasinghe, Helen Swinson, Joann Lewis, Petra Daley and Samantha Lyons.

Giant Steps Community

A big thank you to the Giant Steps parent body for its help in obtaining prizes, helping with ball preparations and for supporting the ball. Thank you also to the Giant Steps staff and Board for their on-going support and assistance.

Printing Services

Thank you also to Grant Shortland of Vital Paper for supplying all the paper and for organising for all the printing to be donated. Program printed on Monza Recycled Gloss 170 gsm, donated by Connect Paper Plus, available from spicers.com.au

Graphic Design Services

Thank you to Petra Daley for designing the fantastic invitations, program and all printed and online documents.

Master of Ceremonies

EVENT SUPPORTERS Thank you to the following companies for their kind sponsorship and support of our ball

Mark Trevorrow (aka Bob Downe).

Auctioneer

Edward Riley, from McGrath Real Estate Agents.

Presenters

Andy Bromley of Zebra Worldwide. Paul Matthews and Caitlin Fargher for the film presentation. Sean Sweeney, Giant Steps Alumni for his performance. Giant Steps Choir headed by Bronte Arns for their performance. Robert Astorri for the Powerpoint presentation and Brett Atkin of Vertigo DJs for the background music.

Volunteers

Thank you to all the volunteers tonight as well as those who assisted with set up the weeks leading up to tonight. This includes Aberdeen Management, National Australia Bank, siblings of the Giant Steps children and their friends and our lovely parents, staff and friends.

Floral Decorations

Mary Yazici of Floral DeVine Hunters Hill for supplying the beautiful foyer floral decorations tonight.

Lucky Door Prize

Off the Wall Photography.

Photography

Louise Hands – photos taken tonight will be available for viewing via the Giant Steps website after the Ball.

Photo Booth

Please make sure you drop by the photo booth and have your photo taken so you have a lasting memento of tonight! www.picturebooth.com.au

TOMBOLA The Tombola is a tradition at the Giant Steps Ball. Originating in southern Italy, the Tombola is a popular game in numerous countries. Winners are drawn from a tumbling barrel containing a copy of every number. The number is then checked against a collection of prizes with numbers attached to them. We have modified our Tombola over the years and instead of numbers, we use tokens to enable guests to claim their prize. This year our tokens are disco balls for the $20 category, flashing rings for the $50 category, flashing pendants for the $80 category and glowing spectacles for our new $120 category. They will be on sale from the start of the evening until 10.45 pm or until they are sold out. Volunteers will be coming around to all the tables with the tokens for sale. They will also be available from the Tombola counter at the rear of the room. You will find credit card payment forms on your table, but we ask that they only be used for purchases of $50 and over. If you fill out a credit card payment form, you do not need to process your payment using the eftpos machines. To claim your prize you need to take your token to theTombola counter and have it marked and you will then receive your prize which is chosen from its price category as a lucky dip (you can keep the token). Prizes in each category are usually worth more than the price you pay for your token. PRIZES ARE NOT INTERCHANGEABLE.

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AUCTION & TOMBOLA Auction and Tombola prizes have all been donated. We would like to thank all the Giant Steps Families who worked hard at obtaining prize donations and the individuals and companies for their donations who are listed below:

AUCTION & TOMBOLA DONORS

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AUCTION & TOMBOLA DONORS ...cont’d

7Chairs - Ben Halcomb Accor Hotels Accor Olympic Park Hotels Adam Roberts Adrenalin Adriano Zumbo Agnew Wines Pty Ltd Aim For the Stars The Layne Beachley Foundation Allison Kempton Amanda Love-Papas Amber Lawrence Andrew and Chami Lam Andrew Cutuk Andrew McDonald Angela & Frank Panzarino Annandale Cellars Anne and Terry Jackson Annette’s Family Hair & Beauty Studio Annthea Goh

Astorri family Atlantic Wines Aus Audio Ayelet Diamant Backstage Hairdressing Cronulla Badrov Barbara Hughes Ben Bernhardt Ben Fordham Ben Halcomb Big W BIG4 Holiday Parks Bodega Tapas Surry Hills Bonnie Doon Golf Club Bower Haus Bremner Family Brenda Colahan Fine Art Brooks Running Bryant Family Buildline Constructions Caligeros Hotel Group

Rag & Famish Hotel Cameron and Elizabeth Lyne Cammeray Proshop Campbell Arnott’s Australia Canningvale Australia Carmela Cerrone from Cerrone Jewellers Caroline and Frank Barila Carolyn Mackay Catherine and Grant Shortland Catherine French Catherine Shortland Century21 City Quarter Chairmant Furniture Chase Gallery Chris Malone Clapham and Shelton families Complete Sports Solution

Corrs Chambers Westgarth Country Crafts & Cottons Cricket NSW Crowne Plaza Terrigal Cruz & Harley Dean Cunningham + Gill Architecture Dave Stavert Dean Feeney Debbie & Alan Levin DeBra’s Dedes Group Des Hasler Diamant Family Diana Kraljevski DJO Global Australia Donna Sharam Art Gallery Doors Plus Dr Sam Seit Electrolux Ensemble Theatre Eva Hannah Family of Angus Mackay Fawlty Towers Live Fiona Cross Fit n Fast Gyms Florence Liew Florence Wong Fred Hawach Geoff Stein Giant Steps Sydney Gifts.com.au Glebe Point Diner Gloria Nassif Molluso Go Bananas Green Golf Tours

Griffiths Family GWA Group Limited Halina Kochanowicz Harvey Norman Hasbro Hayden Theatres Pty Ltd Heather Cunningham Heather Ng Heidi MacAllan Helen Farthing and Norma Scott Herman and Junita Halim Hi-5 Honey and Ash Pattah Hopkins Family Hunters Hill Quilters Ian & Shayne Pedersen Ian and Lisa Bremner IMAX Indigenous All stars Inglis family Ingrid Michalowsky Isabella Astorri Ivana Morris Jaime McIntyre James and Florence Liew Jason Breakwell and Shane Laaman Jason Madden Jennifer and James Burch Jessie Spencer Jo Hyde Joh Bailey Salon Sydney John Boulougouris John Manenti and Chris Malone Jonah’s Restaurant and Boutique Hotel

Josie Pirreca Judy Mason Justin & Joanna O’Sullivan Justin Richmond and Greg Gerstl Justine & Joseph Panzarino Keith Snell Kempton Family Ken Done Gallery Kim Roberts Kim Seckold Knoblauch Family Ko Family Kobie Bosch Koutsoukos Family Kylie Smith & Trish Watt Kylie’s Candles and Melts Le and Julie Chan LeSalon Hunters Hill & Ng Family Lewis Family Liana Mawston Lisa Burnard Lorna Jane Lund Family Maccallum Family Maree and George Camilleri Margaret Kempton Margaret Kirkby Margaret Lewis Maria Kaimasidis Maria Martello Marie Ramos Mary Wehbe McGrath – John Paranchi

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AUCTION & TOMBOLA DONORS ...cont’d

THE RAFFLE

Meynell Family Michael Kerr Molori Safari Morris Family Mr and Mrs Badrov MUDA Aboriginal Corporation of Bourke Nano Living Naomi Hamilton Photography Napoleon Perdis Narelle Kempton Natasha & Steve Jessup Naylor Family Ng Family Nicholas Coumbis Nick and Angie Marino Nick Detmold – Beam Suntory Nick Stavroulakis Nicole Robinson Photography Nine Entertainment Co. Nine Network Australia Pty Ltd NRMA NSW Swifts Oz Design Furniture Oz Jet Boating Pamela Honeyfield Pamela Pudan Papa Family Parramatta Eels Patrick Gallagher Paul Heffron Penrith Whitewater Peter Burton (Cruz & Harley Dean)

You will find raffle tickets in a bowl on your table. Raffle ticket butts, money and credit card payment forms will be collected throughout the night, with the final collection from 10.00 pm. Raffle tickets are also available from the Raffle Counter at the rear of the room. The Raffle will be drawn at 11.00 pm after the Silent Auction has closed.

Petra Daley Philip Ewen Plus Fitness St Marys Powerhouse Museum Qantas Flight Training and Captain Matt Gray Quilting Assoc., St Faiths Church, Narrabeen R&D Kraljevski Racing NSW Ramsey Wehbe Rebecca Strutt and Brent Trousdale Revolver Cafe Richard Unsworth Rob Palmer Robert Davies Ron Palmer Rowena Liosatos Rutten Sandy Lai Seymour Center Shear Talent Shortland Family Simon Loneragan Stan Saric Stephanie Iredale Steve Wilson & family Stevie English Strand Cellars Croydon – Anthony Eyles Stuart Ehsman Sydney Fresh Seafood Sydney Opera Kitchen Sydney Swans Sydney Symphony Orchestra and Lynn McLaughlin

Tania Spresian Tarek & Ahmad Elrich Taronga Conservation Society Australia The Best Me I Can Be – Body Composition Analysis The Hills Hair Studio Thermomix Tiffany & Co Tiffany Lam & Sen Ly Tina Mitchell – Dreamtime Sporting and Corporate Apparel Top Brands Pty Ltd Tricia Heffron and Nick Delfendahl Trish O’Neill UB Art Shack Glenorie Urban Spa Vella family Ventuno Restaurant Vera Toth Veronica Roach Victor O’Toole Vinery Foods Virgin Australia VMax Fitness Training Vogue Autralia Westfield Wests Ashfield Leagues Wil Wilhelm William and Aileen Ko Williams Family Yazici Family Zanardi Designer Jewellers

If you fill out a credit card payment form to purchase tickets, you do not need to process your payment using the eftpos machines.

1 ticket for $20 • 3 tickets for $50 • 10 tickets (1 book) for $100

First Prize

Scotland Island Luxury Escape for 12 people

This magnificent award winning home offers an amazing 5 star unique holiday. Pittpoint Waters is on the eastern side of Scotland Island and it sits perched a few metres above the waters edge featuring 5 bedrooms, 7 bathrooms, private swimming pool, spa, jacuzzi, billiard table and much more. Sleeps 12 people in comfort. – Kindly donated by Leonard & Carole Karpin

Second Prize

Dinner at Oliveto Rhodes

Dinner at Oliveto Rhodes to the value of $500 – Kindly donated by Oliveto

Third Prize

10kg Block of Cadbury’s Chocolate – Kindly donated by White Family

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MENU

BALL PROGRAM

Cocktail

7.00 pm

• •

Pre-Dinner Drinks Silent Auction commences

Entrée

7.20 pm

• •

Guests to be seated Entree service commences

*Haloumi, sweet and sour figs, broccolini, and hazelnuts – Vegetarian, gluten free

7.45 pm

• • •

Welcome by Barry Irvin, Giant Steps Chairman Sean Sweeney, Giant Steps Alumni Giant Steps Choir

8.00 pm

•

MC, Mark Trevorrow (aka Bob Downe) The Bob Downe Show

8.25 pm

•

Main course service commences

8.55 pm

• •

Speaker – Jocelyn Moorhouse, Giant Steps parent Pledges

9.30 pm

• •

Giant Steps Film Presentation Live Auction

Mixed berry jam donut Zebra macaron with blood orange – Gluten free Passionfruit tart with candied pineapple Dark chocolate, roast almond and apricot clusters – Gluten free

9.40 pm

•

Dessert, coffee & tea service commences

10.00 pm

•

Dancing with Peppermint Jam

Beverages

10.45 pm

•

Final call for Silent Auction, Tombola & Raffle

11.00 pm

• • •

Silent Auction closes Raffle drawn Dancing with Peppermint Jam until 12.45 am

12.00 am

•

Bar closes

12.45 am

•

Band finishes

Coconut and pineapple cooler

Smoked salmon Waldorf salad – Gluten free

Main

70’s style lamb rump a l’orange with potatoes – Gluten free Alternated with “Three cup” chicken breast slow cooked in light soy with oyster mushrooms and saffron, green pea and red capsicum rice (low gluten, contains soy sauce) *Vegetable frittata with stir fry oyster mushrooms and greens, saffron, green pea and red capsicum rice and crisp shallot– Vegetarian, gluten free

Dessert Petit four platters for the table

Bennetts Lane NV Brut, South Eastern Australia Endless Pinot Noir, Geelong VIC Endless Pinot Grigio, King Valley VIC James Boag’s Premium Light Boag’s Draught Tooheys Extra Dry Tooheys 5 Seeds Crisp Apple Pepsi, Pepsi Max, Solo, Orange juice, Sparkling mineral water

Goodnight and Thank you! *Vegetarian meals need to be pre-ordered Catering provided by Gastronomy

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ENTERTAINERS MC – Mark Trevorrow (aka Bob Downe)

BOB DOWNE is one of Australia’s most loved and enduring comedy characters, the creation of journalist, comedian, actor and broadcaster MARK TREVORROW. Mark created BOB DOWNE in September 1984 at the Glebe Food Fair, and has toured the world as the Prince of Polyester ever since. Bob’s latest Live show, BOB SWEAT & TEARS, toured Australia and the UK in 2014 with seasons in Sydney, Adelaide, Melbourne, Perth, London, Edinburgh and Brisbane.

Peppermint Jam Peppermint Jam has been entertaining audiences since 2001 and in that time have established themselves as one of Sydney’s favourite corporate and party bands. Fronted by a trio of 3 wonderful voices recently graduating from AIM and a smoking hot rhythm section they deliver non-stop medleys incorporating current party tunes and retro faves with the dance floor never left empty. www.peppermintjam.com.au

Sean Sweeney Sean is a Giant Steps graduate and has performed at the Giant Steps Ball twice before. He loves to entertain and is back by popular demand to perform a song he has written especially for tonight.

Giant Steps

by Sean Sweeney (these are the words to the song written by Sean which he will be performing for us tonight) It all started in 1995, way back in 2 decades ago; In the wonderful amazing town of Gladesville, maybe I’ve told you so! Giant Steps was close to the police station, and Banjo Patterson Park; In the street call Punt Road of the number 23, this song will make their mark. Kerrie, Bronte, Trish, Helen and the others, they’ll try to guess; That’s the way how to spell all the way through, G-I-A-N-T S-T-E-P-S!!! Giant Steps!!! I was born in Asia back in 1997, in the country call Taiwan; My dad had a job for “Dairy Farms”, he never carried on. I moved to Australia when I was 2, with my brothers Jordan, Blake and Nathan. In Tintagel Place of the number 6 in the suburb of Glenhaven. My parents Greg and Sharon and their surname is Sweeney, they are taking their express; Let’s try to spell it once again, G-I-A-N-T S-T-E-P-S!!! Giant Steps!!! It’s nice to be here at the G-I-A-N-T S-T-E-P-S Ball There will be a thousand people watching me play, guys don’t drink too much alcohol. Bob Downe and Barry Irvin are good stars, Disco Inferno is here. It’s time to sing and it’s time to dance, you can listen with your ears. A nickname that I chose is Mat Sweenster; and everyone who gets the press,; Sweenster is my name, time to play a game, nice to meet you and what’s your name? Peppermint Jam is coming soon, it’s time to put on your dancing shoes. Let’s try to spell for a Finale. G-I-A-N-T S-T-E-P-S!!! Giant Steps!!!

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PLEDGES Goal – to raise at least $120,000 to fund the purchase of a new 12 seater mini bus and cover the running costs of all Giant Steps vehicles and our Community Access Programs Transporting children and young adults with autism can sometimes be difficult. Many require space in a large vehicle away from others to successfully travel anywhere safely. Some need to wear a harness to travel safely. The cost of a suitable harness is $1,250 each. Vehicles need to be fuelled, insured, registered and serviced. Giant Steps now owns 4 vehicles across the entire program and all vehicles are in constant use.

We are now in need of a 12 seater bus to transport larger class groups to Community Access Activities. Your contribution will go a long way to supporting the students of Giant Steps and their families. Your pledge will support the many important programs run by Giant Steps and every dollar counts. Pledges will be requested during the evening and are fully tax deductible. You will find a pledge form on your table. If you would like to make a pledge please complete the pledge form and hand it to a volunteer who will collect it when announced by the MC. If you would like to make a pledge at any other time of the evening, please hand in your form to a volunteer or to the Tombola/Cashier desk at the rear of the room. If you fill out a form you do not need to process your payment using the eftpos machines. A tax deductible receipt will be posted to donors shortly after the Ball. Thank you for supporting Giant Steps!

In addition Community Access activities need to be funded. This includes the cost of swimming lessons, ice skating, BBQs, shopping, banking, gymnastics, surfing, over-night school camps and respite provision for families. Many children and young adults often struggle to manage daily outings in the community. Our Community Access Program is an important part of ensuring our students are able to participate in their community and that their families can enjoy the type of activities that are often taken for granted in the broader community but are so important to the well-being and enjoyment of family life. Thanks to the generosity of our 2014 Ball guests we successfully raised funds to purchase two 8 seater Kia Carnival vehicles that have been of huge benefit in allowing us to transport students and staff to activities which form part of the students’ daily curriculum. Whilst the Kias seat 8 people, we can’t always transport a class in one vehicle. The Kias are used for smaller group activities and are particularly vital to those students who are going through a difficult time.

26

SILENT AUCTION

Other Information & Conditions

Tonight we are using Galabid electronic bidding system. There are no handsets – you use your own smart phone, tablet or ordinary mobile phone to bid! YOU CAN REGISTER AND BID UP TO A WEEK PRIOR TO THE BALL!

To Register

Text: gsball and your full name To: 0458 678 678 Example: gsball john smith. Follow the registration link you are sent from GalaBid *Please note: capitals are not needed

OR Visit: galabid.com/gsball Click on the ‘register’ button. Enter your details and click ‘submit’. You can then start bidding. You will also receive a text to your mobile phone with the link to the auction catalogue.

OR See a volunteer with an ipad on the night who can register you!

To Bid

Via smart phone:

Click on the link in the confirmation message you were sent to view the auction catalogue. Just click on an item you want to bid for and you will see the ‘bid’ button.

Don’t have a Smart phone?

Send a text to the same number you text to register: E.g. to bid $1200 on lot 202, Text: 1200L202

Via a volunteer

Please also feel free to see a volunteer with an ipad who can place a bid for you!

Tracking Bids

Guests without smartphones can see if they are the current highest bidder on the GalaBid projector screen - if they have been outbid their name will no longer display. If they have registered using a mobile phone they will receive a ‘you’ve been outbid’ text message notification. PLEASE TURN OFF THE SOUND ON YOUR PHONE TO REDUCE NOISE.

To Check Out

If you are the winner you will receive a text message after the auction has closed. The text message will contain a link which will enable you to pay immediately rather than wait in line to pay. You will immediately receive a receipt via text once you have paid. Please then head over to the Silent Auction area with your device to show the receipt and wait in the PAID queue to receive your auction item(s). If you prefer payments may be made at the Cashier’s desk, just wait in the UNPAID queue.

Donations

Guests may choose to make a tax deductible donation to Giant Steps during the evening using the electronic bidding system by selecting the donation item. The donation will be paid using the check out process mentioned above. A tax deductible receipt will be posted to donors shortly after the ball.

Thank you for supporting Giant Steps!

• Cookies: Please note GalaBid requires that you have your cookies enabled for the auction to respond correctly. • Asked to Log in? If you are asked to log in at any point please use the password you were sent in the original text message. Alternatively just re-register by text. • Bid increments have been set for each item and some items will differ. The system will not allow you to bid below the bid increment for that item. Minimum Bid increments are indicated next to each item. • The Silent Auction will close at 11.00 pm and the system will not accept any further bids after this time. • If you make a mistake or need assistance, please contact a volunteer or go to the Tombola counter. • Successful bidders should make their way to the Cashier desk in the silent auction after the Silent Auction has closed to pay for (if not already paid for) and collect their item(s). All items must be paid for and collected by 12.30 am. • Auction items that are not collected tonight will be transported back to Giant Steps at Gladesville. It is the purchaser’s responsibility to arrange for collection of the auction item from Giant Steps and bear any courier costs involved if they cannot collect the auction item themselves. • Payment for Silent Auction items must be finalised on the night by cheque, cash or credit card. We also accept Visa, MasterCard, Diners Club and American Express; although due to high fees we prefer Visa or MasterCard if using a credit card. • If the successful bidder has left before the closure of the Silent Auction or is not in attendance, Giant Steps will contact the successful bidder after the Ball to arrange for payment and collection of the item. • Items will be sold to the highest eligible bidder recorded at the close of bidding. You will be notified on screen if you are the winner, also you will receive a text message confirmation of this. • Giant Steps Sydney shall not be liable for any loss or damage whatsoever suffered (including but not limited to direct or consequential loss) or personal injury suffered or sustained in connection with the auction or auction items except for any liability which cannot be excluded by law. • By agreeing to these terms & conditions you the bidder accept that as a successful winner of an item you will fully pay for the item including any surcharge or tax and delivery of all the items you win in a timely manner. • Items purchased in the auctions are not tax deductible. Tax deductible receipts cannot be issued for Auction items, Tombola or Raffle, only for pledges and donations. • The Ball is input taxed and GST will not be charged on any purchases made. Auction items are not transferable or redeemable for cash. • The catalogue and auction item display are accurate to the best of our knowledge at the time of printing. Unless otherwise specified in the catalogue or auction item display, all vouchers and certificates will expire 12 months from the date of the Ball. Bidders should refer to the auction item display for conditions. • All items have been delivered or pledged to Giant Steps in good faith. Giant Steps makes no warranty about any auction item, raffle or tombola prize and does not accept any responsibility if the donor of the item or prize fails to supply in accordance with the pledge or if goods are not fit for purpose. Prizes are not exchangeable for other goods or cash and are not refundable.

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LIVE AUCTION

LOT 4 French Countryside Chateau for 14

The Auction is conducted live on the night. The highest bidder will be the purchaser of the item. The Auctioneer’s decision will be final.

A unique opportunity to live in opulent surroundings in this magnificent chateau can be yours for two weeks! Chateau d’Oyre is situated near the town of La Fleche, in the Loire. A 20 minute drive to Le Mans (24 hour car racing), and then less than an hour to Paris by fast train. Accommodates up to 14 people in 6 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms,5 salons to choose from as your living areas, pool, ten acres of garden and woods, chapel, bicycles available, restaurants and a bi-weekly produce market in the village, wineries and chateaux to visit, housekeeping available on request. Not available in June & July and must be taken in one stay. Valid until December 2018. For more details visit http://mmusg.com/ destinations/camino-and-chateau-doyre-friends/ chateau-doyre/ Donated by – Family of Angus Mackay

The successful bidder will be asked to complete a Payment Card at the end of the sale of the item. All items must be paid for on the night by cheque, cash or credit card.

LOT 1 MARC CHAGALL ‘Green Eiffel’, 1957 Colour lithograph from Chagall’s ‘Jacques Lassaigne’ portfolio. Chagall was renowned for his artistic celebration of romance and depictions of the mystical worlds of lovers, musicians and artists. Strong and often bright colours portray the world with a dreamlike, non-realistic simplicity. Donated by – Chase Gallery

LOT 5 Behind the Scenes Day at the Races for 4 LOT 2 Sydney Harbour Luxury Cruise for 12 12 people can cruise Sydney Harbour in style on this 48 foot Sunseeker luxury boat. Cruise Sydney Harbour for 4 hours and enjoy this wonderful opportunity to spend the day exploring. Reward staff, entertain clients, team build or invite family and friends. All food for your day out on the Harbour is included. BYO Alcohol. Note boat may change to a similar or superior model. Book early to secure your date, subject to availability. Valid for 12 months. Donated by – Nano Living

LOT 3 92 Foot Superyacht Cruise for 15 A three hour canapé cruise on Sydney Harbour for 15 people, aboard luxury motor yacht A.Q.A. (Age Quod Agis - ‘Do what you do well’), including food and beverages (beer and wine). AQA is a 5 star cruise experience, enjoyed by a range of celebrity clients including Michael Jackson, Elton John, Tom Cruise, George W. Bush, Robert de Niro and HRH Prince Charles. This vessel is a fine choice to enjoy cruising Sydney Harbour, and you and your guests will enjoy the very best of luxury boat hire aboard AQA. Valid for 6 months. Donated by – Simon Loneragan

This prize entitles four guests to attend a day behind the scenes of a Sydney thoroughbred race meeting (non-carnival race day). You will watch the jockeys weigh out for a race, mix in the mounting yard with owners, trainers and media, visit the Stewards Room and meet the race caller. You will see how the photo finish is developed in the judges box, go behind the starting stalls and watch the start standing next to the starters rostrum. You will enjoy a complimentary lunch. This prize comes with a $1,000 TABCORP voucher. This is for the true racing enthusiast, a very rare opportunity! Valid to the end of December 2016. Donated by – Racing NSW

LOT 6 Advertising on Giant Steps Bus

Tonight we are auctioning off exclusive advertising rights for one lucky company for a 12 month period on our brand new Giant Steps Bus! This package would see your company’s brand travel daily around Sydney whilst supporting our children and young adults to access daily activities and community participation. This highly visible and sought after placement places your company in a unique position with high visibility for everyone to see that as an organisation you are committed to supporting children with Autism. Giant Steps will work with you and provide the graphic design and printing. The package includes all 4 sides of the bus. Donated by – Giant Steps

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Thank you for your support & generousity, we hope you enjoyed the Giant Steps Ball!

www.facebook.com/GiantStepsSydney

Giant Steps Sydney Ltd. ABN 51 087 759 984 Registered Charity: DGR 32778

Phone: (02) 9879 4971 # giantstepsautism

www.giantsteps.net.au