City turns out for battling Urbis boss Matthew Schneider long lunch at Southport Sharks
The MC told the 480 at a long lunch for favourite Gold Coast son battling stage four cancer: ‘When you get better — you can shout everyone here lunch.’ ALL THE GOSS & PICTURES
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BY donning a vibrant plum blazer, renowned property guru Matt Schneider was showing the packed ballroom at Southport Sharks he was ready to have a good time.
A who’s who of the Gold Coast turned out for a long lunch full of laughs and warmth on Tuesday as the Urbis director faces “the fight of his life”.
Schneider, 38, who is battling stage four bowel cancer, addressed a room of close to 500 of his “nearest and dearest friends”.
“I’m not quite sure what the word is — I don’t feel overwhelmed but it’s something pretty close to that,” he said.
“In the space of six or seven days after my diagnosis, I went from living the life I knew to a totally different one. The support from each and every one of you has been phenomenal.
“The energy and support from everyone has had a tangible effect on my treatment so far and although we’ll take the future as it comes, it’s a big reassurance to know the people here are the reason why the Gold Coast is so successful.
“Regardless of what the next few months hold — we have today.”
Mr Schneider thanked his Urbis team, a number of prominent Gold Coast business identities and offered a heartfelt thanks to his wife and three children.
He said he felt “very grateful” and that “many deserving people don’t receive this level of support”.
“There are 25 years’ worth of people who have influenced me in the one room.”
Longtime friend and Hickey Lawyers founder Tony Hickey hosted, and joked: “Matt, when you get better — you can shout everyone here lunch.”
“It’s funny that 480 people here claim to be your mate, but in all honesty we couldn’t be more grateful to be here for you today.”
Mayor Tom Tate was not at the lunch, but a video message was played to the crowd: “We know that your family means the world to you and we stand with you for the fight of your life.”
Star Gold Coast chief operating officer Jess Mellor said it was “incredible to see so many people supporting Matt”.
“It’s a real testament to his impact across the city and I’m really happy to be here for this special event.”
Destination Gold Coast’s head of strategy and stakeholder engagement Rachel Hancock said: “As far as long lunches go, you can’t get any better than this. The perfect way to acknowledge not only Matt’s fight but the contribution he has made — and will continue to make to the Gold Coast — the city he loves.”
Colliers Gold Coast director Steven King said it was “brilliant to see such a massive turnout for Matt”.
Mr Schneider’s favourite musician, the Gold Coast’s own Karl S Williams, serenaded the crowd as they talked, wined and dined.
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