Fundraising Events - Future and Past

New Year's Eve @ Taronga - Wednesday 31 December 2008

Celebrate this New Year's Eve with the best views in Sydney! Looking for a memorable experience this New Year's Eve? Why not join us at Taronga and enjoy Sydney's famous fireworks in a unique, relaxed atmosphere perfect for family and friends.

Kick off your New Year's Eve with a special peek around the Zoo after closing time. Then groove to some great entertainment including a special show for the kids. Enjoy views of the 9pm and midnight fireworks set against the spectacular backdrop of Sydney Harbour and the city skyline.

Proceeds from ticket sales go to The Taronga Foundation which raises funds for our Zoos conservation and redevelopment programs.

Make sure you don’t miss out this New Year's Eve. Keep an eye out in October, when tickets go on sale via Ticketek. We will post more information on this website as event details are finalised. To be added to the New Years Eve mailing list please email rpride@zoo.nsw.gov.au.

2008 Temple of Siam Zoofari - Friday 21 November 2008

Zoofari is the Taronga Foundation's annual major fundraising Ball. The 2008 event will be held in the heart of Taronga Zoo, on the site of the new Elephant Breeding Facility and the first and last opportunity to hold an event at this venue before Gung our male elephant moves into his new home. Guests will enter through the heritage Elephant Temple and into a clear roofed marquee with views of Sydney Harbour, with a capacity to fit approximately 350-400 guests. Pre-dinner cocktails will be held in the new Seal Discovery Theatre and special animal encounters are followed by a 3 course gourmet dinner. The event is a fun and exciting evening with entertainment by Guy Sebastian and a live auction with Sotheby’s auctioneer Justin Miller, offering unique ‘money can’t buy’ items such as Dinner in the Lions Den, An African Safari and Walk with the Elephants at Western Plains Zoo.

The 2007 event sold out and we are currently taking bookings for the 2008 event.

For limited dates in November and December we are also offering this unique marquee as a venue for hire. Please click here to see more about this space.

DATE: Friday 21st November
VENUE: Elephant Temple and Marquee, Taronga Zoo
TIME: 6:30pm - 1am
CAUSE: Taronga's Elephant Breeding Facility
AUCTIONEER: Justin Miller, Chair, Sotheby's
ZOO SPEAKERS: GGuy Cooper, Director & Chief Executive Len Bleasel, Chairman, Taronga Conservation Society Australia
ENTERTAINMENT Guy Sebastian and his band
TARONGA FOUNDATION: Maurice L Newman AC, Chairman Taronga Foundation

Oceans 100 Event @ Flying Fish - Thursday 27th March 2008

New members of the OCEANS 100 club who each pledged $10,000 to support the Taronga Foundation's Great Southern Oceans Appeal, pictured at a star-studded party at Flying Fish Restaurant in Pyrmont. The evening was a thank-you for those members who had already pledged $10,000 to the cause since OCEANS 100 was launched with a splash 12 months ago.

Guests, including media personalties and animal enthusiasts Tracey Spicer and Mikey Robins, listened as Maurice L Newman AC, Taronga Foundation Chair, and Len Bleasel AM , Chair of the Taronga Conservation Society Australia spoke about the urgent need to support the unique birds and mammals of the Great South Oceans and the role Taronga's new precinct will play in the zoo's education and conservation programs. Mr Bleasel and Mr Newman are both founding members of OCEANS 100.

OCEANS 100 member and MC Angus Hawley encouraged those who had not already joined to do so, and was delighted when a total of 8 guests put up their hands to pledge $10,000 and become new members. Each received a gorgeous plush penguin as a special thank-you. With two additional pledges made just prior to the event, a staggering total of $100,000 was raised from the evening. The Foundation now needs to secure just $120,000 to achieve its goal of 'turning a hundred into a million', raising a million dollars for Taronga Zoo's magnificent marine animals.

Big G Conducts and The Taronga Foundation present musical fun with Babies Proms Maestro Big G. Come on an adventure with Big G and his orchestra through classic and original animal songs and tunes at Taronga Zoo during the January school holidays. Learn about music and the animals of the zoo with a rollicking story by Jimmy Thomson.

• Three shows Daily. ANZ Conservation Theatre, Taronga Zoo
• TICKETS ONLY $25* - LIMITED SEASON, DON'T MISS OUT
• 10% discount for Zoo Friends and Zoo sponsors
• INCLUDES 15% discount Zoo entry on showing your full price ticket. Valid until 30/6/08.
  
• * TERMS AND CONDITIONS
• Offer valid with any regular full-paying admission ticket. Not valid with any other zoo offer including pre-paid tickets, concession tickets or transport passes including ZooPass. Not redeemable or transferable for cash.

Event Information:

• Children up to 2 years free
• Travel and transport plans visit: www.BigGConducts.com.au
• To book tickets visit: Ticketek (or 132 849)
• Download the PDF here

Looking for a unique and memorable experience? Celebrate this New Year's Eve at Taronga Zoo.

Kick off your New Year's Eve with a special peek around the Zoo after closing time. Groove to great live entertainment set against the spectacular skyline of Sydney with some of the best views of the New Year's Eve fireworks. Safe for the family and easily accessible, bring your own picnic or food and beverages can be purchased on site.

Platinum Reserve Tickets (Roar and Snore)

• Adults (over 18 yrs): $550.
• Overnight experience including animal encounters, all food and beverages and much more. Includes parking at the Zoo.
• Please contact Taronga's Roar & Snore team for further information on 9978 4791.

Gold Reserve Tickets (Bird show & Centenary Lawns)

Adults: $220. Children: $120. Families (2+2): $600. Includes;

• Spectacular views of Sydney Harbour and Bridge for 9pm and midnight fireworks.
• Parking onsite at the Zoo.
• Entertainment- George Washing Machine (Jazz Trio)
• Gold ticket holders are able to move between both Gold and Silver sections for the entertainment options.
• BYO food and beverages or buy your food and drinks at the Zoo.
• Some animals on display until 7.30pm
• ASX-Reuters Charity Foundation raffle ticket (valued at $20), which will put you in the draw to win a new Fiat Punto Emotion 1.9JTD valued at $27,000, a 12month Leisure Boating Membership valued at $16.950, a Hayman Island Luxury holiday and many other great prizes.

Silver Reserve Tickets* (Concert Lawns)

Adults: $135. Children: $75. Families (2+2): $380. Includes;

• Great views of Sydney Harbour and Bridge for 9pm and midnight fireworks
• Complimentary park and ride service from Spit Junction
• Entertainment - Catherine Hunter, Frank Bennett and Sydney's All Stars.
• BYO food and beverages or buy your food and drinks at the Zoo.
• Some animals on display until 7.30pm
• ASX-Reuters Charity Foundation raffle ticket (valued at $20), which will put you in the draw to win a new Fiat Punto Emotion 1.9JTD valued at $27,000, a 12month Leisure Boating Membership valued at $16.950, a Hayman Island Luxury holiday and many other great prizes.

* Some obstructed views

Gates open from 6pm. Some animals will be on display from 6.00pm - 7.30pm.

Proceeds from the ticket sales will go to The Taronga Foundation, which is raising $56 million towards the redevelopment of Taronga and Western Plains Zoos.

Tickets will go on sale to the general public on Monday 29 October. To purchase your tickets please go to the Ticketek website Ticketek Call Centre (telephone 132 849) or visit a Ticketek agency.

Taronga Zoo - New Year's Eve Management Team, Tel: (612) 9969 2777

Splash! Great Southern Oceans Zoofari - Friday 16 November, 2007

Some of Sydney's best-known movers and shakers raised a record $490,105 for the Taronga Foundation's Great Southern Oceans Appeal at 'Splash! Great Southern Oceans Zoofari'. Over 330 guests enjoyed a special preview of the Great Southern Oceans precinct, with its recently created Encounter Beach and Seal Discovery Theatre. They also met some of the zoo's unique animals, including Miya the gorgeous Australian Sea-lion. Along with the other seals, she's about to move into a home with one of the finest harbour views in Sydney.

Funds raised at the Splash! Zoofari will support marine conservation, research and education programs, as well as state-of-the-art breeding and display facilities for marine animals.

The evening was held in a specially constructed three-tiered transparent marquee, generously sponsored by Reed Constructions, affording everyone a magical view of the harbour. Marine coloured glamour was the theme of the evening, with different shades of blue and green in the gowns and the jewellery.

Zoofari Committee Chair, Deborah Thomas and committee members Min Darling, Jeremy Garling, Angus Hawley, Sarah Hoyland, Julie McIntosh, Justin Miller, Rebecca Nyman, Monique Sartor, Josephine Sukkar and Judy Swan, joined Taronga Foundation supporters including Gretel Packer, Jared Crouch, Siimon Reynolds and Mark Tonelli. Channel 7's Chris Bath was MC and guests danced under the stars to the legendary Leo Sayer.

Unique auction prizes which were top fundraiser on the night included a private Seal Pool Party for 20 guests in the new Great Southern Oceans exhibit, a Roar & Snore Slumber Party for 30 to sleep overnight at Taronga Zoo and a fabulous African Safari.

Vanishing Tracks, Snow Leopard Fundraising Dinner - Thursday 25 October 2007

The Taronga Foundation and the Australian Himalayan Foundation hosted a joint fundraising dinner on 25 October at Taronga Zoo to support the Snow Leopard Conservancy. The Conservancy is a San Francisco-based organisation that has focused its efforts on the community-based conservation of Snow Leopards. The goal is for local people in the Himalayan region to be self-sufficient stewards of these magnificent creatures.

Dr Rodney Jackson, Director of the Snow Leopard Conservancy was the guest of honour and co-host of the dinner with Guy Cooper, Director and Chief Executive of the Zoological Parks Board of NSW. A stellar list of supporters attended the dinner, including writer Bryce Courtenay, mountaineer Lincoln Hall, and television presenter and Founding Governor of The Taronga Foundation, Antonia Kidman. All are passionate supporters of Snow Leopard conservation.

The sell-out event raised over $40,000 to help protect the remaining wild populations of this magnificent and highly endangered species. This great result was achieved through ticket sales, a raffle and a live auction which included some fantastic Himalayan inspired prizes such as an Everest Anniversary Trek for two people including dinner with Peter Hillary.

Despite threatening weather on the night, Taronga Foundation guests donned a 'splash of blue' and turned out in force to Splashout@Cabana, at the Cabana Bar and Lounge in St Leonards, raising close to $40,000 for Taronga Zoo's Great Southern Oceans Appeal.

Guests enjoyed an evening mingling with the zoos scaly, slithery and furry animals and their Keepers and grooving to the sounds of award-winning artist Jade MacRae and her band. Olympic Gold Medal swimmer Mark Tonelli acted as MC, encouraging everyone to dig deep for money-can't-buy auction items such as Grand Final Rugby League tickets and the chance to swim with Taronga's seals when the new exhibit opens.

Funds from Splashout@Cabana will go towards Taronga Zoo's education and conservation programs to help the endangered wildlife of our Great Southern Oceans.

Splashout@Cabana photos from the night have been put up on Flickr. Have a look.

On Thursday 24 May 2007, nearly 200 guests splashed out at Establishment Hotel in support of the Great Southern Oceans Appeal.

Hosted by comedian Rove McManus, the evening began by offering guests the opportunity to get close to some of the Zoo's favourite animals and their keepers. Foundation Governor Justin Miller auctioned some "wild" items, such as a chance to "Swim with the Seals" and a Bird Show Birthday Party. Guests were kept entertained and informed by Taronga Zoo Marine Mammal Keeper, Ady D'Ettorre, who regaled guests with stories about working with powerful and endangered marine animals including Brooke a 300kg Leopard Seal, Miya the Australian Sea-lion and Mr Munro, who joins Taronga's two female Fiordland Crested Penguins.

The event was a huge success, raising $200,000 towards Taronga's Great Southern Ocean exhibit.

On Wednesday 14 March the Taronga Foundation, along with many of our major supporters, launched the Great Southern Oceans Appeal and OCEANS 100 Campaign at Icebergs Dining Room and Bar, Bondi Beach.

The OCEANS 100 campaign invites 100 key supporters to help raise a million dollars for Taronga Zoo's conservation, research and education programs for the marine animals and birds of the Great Southern Oceans by pledging $10,000 each. The contribution is vital to the completion of Taronga's new Great Southern Oceans exhibit.

The 'First Eleven' members were announced on the night, including Zoological Parks Board Chairman Len Bleasel AM, Antonia Kidman and Angus Hawley, Nigel Adams, Rebecca Nyman, Camilla Boyd, Jeremy Garling, Bradley Trevor Greive, Prue and Andrew Kennard, Dawn O'Donnell, Rebel Penfold-Russell and Maurice L Newman AC.

These 'OCEANS 11' were joined on the night by Steve and Linda Fanale, Paul and Sandra Salteri and Bob and Judy Swan, with each couple taking home a gorgeous larger than life-sized Emperor Penguin as a thank you for their generosity.

Maurice Newman, Chair of the Foundation commented; "In the face of the potentially grim impact of climate change, Taronga Zoo has a real mission to help people understand the importance of the oceans that surround us. I believe that our wonderful supporters acknowledge this, which is why they have responded so generously to this appeal."

In September 2006, Taronga Foundation Governor Antonia Kidman was joined by Olympic swimmer and sports commentator Mark Tonelli and comedian Mikey Robins at Gowild@Cabana, a fundraising evening in support of Taronga Zoo's conservation projects. Gowild@Cabana was a 'wild night out' at Cabana Bar in Northern Suburbs Rugby Club, which was transformed into an exotic jungle themed to bring out the wild side in everyone! The tribal beat of bongo drums announced arrivals, and guests enjoyed special appearances from Taronga Zoo's animals and their dedicated keepers. Funky band Martini Club kept everyone entertained into the night with their colourful mix of big beat dance, percussion, Latin and disco.

In keeping with the theme of the night, wild auction items were on offer, including tickets to the sold out Kylie and Robbie Willams concerts, plus the the chance to stay at Western Plains Zoo's premier accommodation, Zoofari Lodge. If you've never been to Africa, this is the next best thing, with guests camping out in African-style lodges just metres from lions, tigers, giraffes and rhinoceros.

Zoos Director and Chief Executive, Guy Cooper, said: "Evenings such as this highlight the increasing importance that people place on conservation and wildlife. Public support of The Taronga Foundation enables us to continue bringing conservation education programs to the community and furthering our important research, breeding and in situ conservation programs for the world's endangered species."

On Saturday 25th November 2006, 250 key Sydneysiders welcomed Taronga's latest residents: Porntip, Pak Boon, Tang Mo, Thong Dee and Gung, at the black tie ANZ Zoofari Elephant Ball. The gala dinner was held in the grounds of Taronga Zoo to honour our new Asian Elephants. High-profile guests including MC Jean Kittson, Gretel and Ros Packer, Eddie Maguire, Skye Leckie, Sally Loane and Frank and Monique Sartor, helped raise a total of $370,000 for the Zoo's Asian Elephant breeding program.

Funds were also raised on the night for CITES MIKE, an international conservation project which monitors the illegal killing of Asian Elephants in South-East Asia, and for reproductive technology research undertaken at Western Plains Zoo. Speakers included elephant keeper Lucy Melo, who spoke passionately of her work with elephants in Thailand and the importance that conservation and breeding programs have to the long-term survival of these magnificent creatures.

Guests were wecomed with a special elephant fanfare and enjoyed cocktails in front of the exhibit before moving into the Asian themed hall for a 3 course dinner. The celebrity auction held during the evening was a roaring success and included some wild items such as the opportunity to have a private breakfast with the elephants and a seven-night Thailand adventure holiday which includes including a two-day mahout training course at the Thai Elephant Conservation Centre.

What a unique night from a matchless location! The 'Diamond Night in an Emerald City' fireworks were spectacular, with great vantage points from both the Gold and Silver areas.

Families in the Gold section were entertained by Mic Conway's National Junk Band, including his special kids' show, whilst Catherine Hunter, John Morrison and their Swing Band had Silver patrons up and grooving the night away.

Everyone who purchased a ticket to the event received an Art Union raffle ticket and went in the draw to win one of five great prizes, including a new Volkswagen Passat.

To make sure you don't miss out on NYE 07 @ Taronga, keep an eye out in October, when tickets go on sale via Ticketek www.ticketek.com.au