Magic Millions Polo raises huge amount to help the bush fire relief effort
The bushfire disaster is at the forefront of the minds of celebrities and spectators at the annual Magic Millions Polo. Celebrities have dug deep with massive donations to the bushfires.
Gold Coast
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THE bushfire disaster is at the forefront of the minds of celebrities and spectators at the annual Magic Millions Polo.
Big names have been digging deep to the support the Bushfire Relief Fund while at the event in Doug Jennings Park, Main Beach.
Magic Millions ambassadors Zara and Mike Tindall, Billy Slater, Frankie Dettori, Nacho Figueras, Delfina Blaquier, Amanda Abate, Hamish McLachlan and Rob Archibald announced they would collectively donate $50,000 dollars to the appeal.
The Star Gold Coast has matched the donation.
Australian actor Rebel Wilson, who is at the Polo, auctioned two lunches at her Sydney home, which included a polo lesson with Nacho Figueras. Sold to Arrowfield stud and trainers Gillian and Hoss Heinrichand, the lunchtime auction raised $100,000.
Total donations are currently sitting over $300,000.
Magic Millions co-owner Gerry Harvey said fundraising would continue throughout the carnival.
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“The thoroughbred industry is famous for its generosity, when things happen in the community we always respond,” Gerry Harvey said.
“Vendors will also donate $500 per horse.
“Together all of us are going to raise hundreds of thousands of dollars.”
Nacho Figueras said it was important for everyone to get behind the cause as many people involved with Magic Millions are from bushfire ravaged areas.
“It is a privilege to be involved with the carnival,” he said.
“This fundraising effort is so important and close to my heart.”
Mr Figeuras said he was enjoying his time in Main Beach, and his “family was going to the beach everyday”.
“We are having a wonderful time on the Gold Coast and catching up with friends, like Billy and Nicole Slater”.
With temperatures hitting 33C at the Doug Jennings Park event in Main Beach punters opted for oversized woven hats or fedoras and white attire.
Pacific Fair ambassador Laura Dundovic wore a white Acler midi dress, Martina McGrath millinery and Christie Nicolaides accessories.
“It is a great day for the polo,” she said.
“Even though I love bright colours, I love classic white for these events too.”
TV presenter Abbey Way joined the action and donned blue shorts and vest set from Mossman and Country Road accessories.
The new co-host of Channel 7’s reality show House Rules said she “was having a grand time”.
“I will be here from Wednesday to Sunday, and it will be the longest I have been in one location for a long time,” she said.
“I am really looking forward to it, and also raising much needed funds for bushfire victims.
“I am also looking forward to then coming back to the Coast, it will be the first location for House Rules.”
Gold Coast Channel 7 newsreader Amanda Abate looked like a breath of fresh air in a long white and yellow cotton maxi dress from Rebecca Valance, and her friend and weather presenter Liz Cantor wore a white bordie anglaise alice McCALL dress and an Akubra.
“Look at this weather, and everyone is honestly looking stunning,’ Ms Liz Cantor said.
Men were seen in linen suits, shorts and classic chinos under the warm Gold Coast sun.
Australian ironman Jett Kenney opted for classic polo attire from Zara.
The Star ambassador told the Bulletin coming off the back of a nice Christmas break he looked forward to 10 days of on-and-off-track celebrations.
“I love this week, but I also look forward to getting back to training as I have a line up of state and national competitions on the horizon,” he said.
“But I have to say I am very proud that I put this outfit together by myself today.”
Rebel Wilson, Rachel Griffiths, Michelle Payne, Matty Johns, Kate Jones, Damien Anthony Rossi, and Zara and Mike Tindall were spotted in the Ferrari VIP marquee sipping champagne and watching the four professional and amateur polo games.
Main Beach resident Georgie McGlashan joined her three best friends in the Grandad Jacks Craft Distillery Enclosure.
“We are really enjoying the atmosphere and it really feels like summer,” she said.
“It is hot, but we have sunscreen and good hats.”
“We are looking forward to champagne and seeing the celebs in action.”
Pacific Fair Magic Millions Polo features four games this year (instead of three), a new ‘kidzone’, and a performance from Australian Outback Spectacular.
Magic Millions co-owner Katie Page said “attendance is higher and the event has grown each year and it will continue”.
Originally published as Magic Millions Polo raises huge amount to help the bush fire relief effort