Pharmacy ball breaks fundraising record

Amanda Jones

15 May 2014: University of Canberra pharmacy students have helped raise more than $2,400 for the James Macready-Bryan (JMB) Foundation to support young people living with an acquired brain injury, at the University’s annual Pharmacy Ball.

The event, organised by the Canberra Student Pharmacy Association (CaSPA), was held on 3 May at the Hyatt Hotel, with more than 100 students and staff donning their finest frocks and suits for the occasion.

L-R: Jessica Cahill, Xavier Agostino, David Nguyen and Femi Owoka at the Pharmacy Ball. Photo supplied.

CaSPA social chair Femi Owoka said the event was a great success setting a new fundraising record for the association, with all funds on the night donated to charity.

“Everyone had a fantastic time and we were thrilled to raise $2,425 for the JMB Foundation through an auction and raffle, which was far beyond our expectation, we were just hoping to crack the $1,000 barrier,” Mr Owoka said.

The auction raised $1,425 with two Amicroe tablets donated by the pharmacy discipline, a return flight to Coffs Harbour and a personal assistant for a day up for grabs, while $1,000 was raised from the raffle with prizes ranging from gift vouchers to a table at the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia Trivia night.

The night also included speeches from JMB Foundation director Dianne Rule, national coordinator of the Pharmacy Guild Intern Training Program Hayley Smilie and University of Canberra pharmacy course convenor Greg Kyle—who spoke to students about the future of pharmacy.

Professor of pharmacy Gabrielle Cooper was also awarded a certificate of appreciation on the night in recognition of her valuable contribution to helping establish the University’s pharmacy program—which is also celebrating its 10 year anniversary.