Melbourne rich-listers, VIPs turn out for epic hospo party
A who’s who of Melbourne turned out to celebrate The Big Group’s 35th anniversary, with Eddie McGuire making a poignant speech.
Confidential
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Melbourne hospitality leaders Bruce and Chyka Keebaugh celebrated 35 years of business with an epic event attended by friends, clients, industry leaders, rich-listers and VIP guests.
The Big Group, who have built a reputation for throwing Australia’s best parties, marked the occasion in style at The Commons Collective on Wednesday night.
Close to 700 people were treated to live entertainment, food and drink delights, a flower installation by eco-artist Joost Bakker and a speech by Eddie McGuire.
“I’m here as a proud Victorian and Melburnian and I look around this room and it’s just awe-inspiring to see so many of the wonderful people here,’’ McGuire said.
“The first time I met Bruce Keebaugh he was starting his new job as the manager of the Carlton Football Club social club … one of The Big Group’s early gigs was my engagement to my wife Carla and then my wedding. Needless to say like everybody else in this place both nights were just magical affairs with the usual panache of Bruce and Chyka and the occasion was magnificent … one that we all hope to have paid off by the time it’s my 70th.”
The night also doubled as a launch for Bruce’s book, By Invitation Only. An emotional Keebaugh paid tribute to his wife, Chyka, and all their supporters.
“I have shared so many special moments with each and every one of you in this room,’’ he said. “I’m very proud to call so many of you friends and I’m so proud we have multiple generations of families in this room tonight. That, for me, is extraordinary.”
“(Chyka) you have given me the confidence to always roll the dice, you’ve had my back all the way through. The ups and the downs. The Big Group is nothing without its clients, team and suppliers and clients and nothing without you.”
Keebaugh wrapped up by saying he’d bored everyone enough, and there was no one who had “put up with more boring speeches”.
He added: “For 35 years, The Big Group has been committed to growing ‘The Art of Australian hospitality’.
“We believe that brilliant events and experiences, delivered at scale, can transform cities, showcasing Australia and what we can do to the world. They also create opportunities for the extraordinary pool of creative talent we are lucky to have here at home. This was the motivation behind our debut book By Invitation Only and indeed for the celebration”.
Guests included John Gandel, Penny Fowler, Heloise Pratt, Fiona Geminder, Dahlia Fried, Steven Lew, Gerry Ryan, Andy Penn, Lord Mayor Nick Reece, Travis Auld, Kylie Rogers, Craig Tiley, John Kanga, Caroline Ralphsmith, Ann Peacock, Paul Guerra, Michelle Valmorbida, Maryanne Giannarelli, John Van Haandel, Steve Dimopoulos, Sam Groth, David Southwick, Nick and Rozalia Russian, Lana Wilkinson, Khanh Ong and Matt Agnew.
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