Gold Coast Mayoress Ball goss from Alan Jones, Tom Tate, Matthew Schneider, MP Langbroek

The Gold Coast Mayoress Ball is always one of the social highlights of the year - and behind the scenes there were plenty of laughs, awkward and touching moments.

GOLD Coast Mayor Tom Tate was among the big bidders at the charity auction – shelling out a cool $8000 for a speed painter’s version of Elvis Presley done on the night. During the painting show, it looked at one point like it might end up being a potrait of the third-term Mayor who remarked to the Bulletin: “Glad it wasn’t – we wouldn’t have got much at the auction for that.” Ray White Surfers Paradise head Andrew Bell looked after the auction, with new CEO Residential Charles Higgins bid spotting from the floor.

MAYORESS BALL IN PICTURES: PETER AND REGINA SHOOT UP THE BALL

Matthew Schneider with his wife Sam at the Gold Coast Mayoress Charity Ball at Star Gold Coast on Friday night.

Urbis boss Matthew Schneider, who is battling stage four bowel cancer, made the ball, looking dapper and noting online afterwards: “A few weeks back, I’d quietly set myself the goal of being able to be at this year’s Gold Coast Mayoress Charity Foundation Ball. Every year, it is a fantastic event and I knew that the room would be full of friends and colleagues that I really wanted to see, and to thank, after the last few months. So I was thrilled to be strong and well enough to be there last night (without being in a wheelchair!) and to support the great work of the foundation.” He gave a special shout out to Star Gold Coast chief operating officer Jess Mellor “for making sure it was possible and I was well looked after”, adding it was “really nice to not wear a tracksuit”.

Among the VIPs on the night were Sky News CEO Paul ‘Boris’ Whittaker (a former Gold Coast Bulletin journalist and former editor of The Australian) plus ex-Sky News host Alan Jones. The pair ended up on tables right next to each other, prompting one attendee to point out the recent history - namely Jones’ departure from the channel - and remark: “Awkward...”

Bulletin social photographer Regina King with broadcasting legend Alan Jones at the Gold Coast Mayoress Ball at Star Gold Coast. Picture: Regina King Facebook

Speaking of Jones, he attended pre-drinks on site in a hotel room hosted by the State Member for Surfers Paradise John-Paul Langbroek. Mr Jones also had a laugh at Bulletin social photographer Regina King’s expense – she was there capturing the dressed up crowd - and noted: “After many back operations he had to have a walking stick for support and laughingly chipped moi for being more upright than he. Is he insinuating that one is old? His memory is amazing recalling a lunch we did decades ago with Betty Veivers for Gold Coast Tennis. Considering how many charity lunches he has donated his services to over the years that is some feat.”

Originally published as Gold Coast Mayoress Ball goss from Alan Jones, Tom Tate, Matthew Schneider, MP Langbroek