Fancy a two-day Hollywood extravaganza including a VIP dinner with Hollywood stars and foreign Minister Julie Bishop? Perhaps a personalised tour of Parliament House and morning tea with Prime Minister, Malcolm Turnbull? Or a morning jog followed by breakfast with Opposition leader Bill Shorten and Tanya Plibersek?  

 

Australia’s political leadership have generously donated themselves and a host of stellar prizes to help raise funds for some of the nation’s most deserving charities.  

 

The eBay Midwinter Ball Charity Auction will once again be keenly followed when bidding opens at 5pm on Wednesday 24 August. Over $3 million in charity proceeds has been raised by the Midwinter Ball since 2000 and this year the Canberra Press Gallery is hoping for another record amount.  

 

Malcolm Turnbull will give you a personalised behind the scenes tour of Parliament House; Director Gerard Vaugh will give you a backstage pass to the National Gallery of Australia and Brendan Nelson will provide a private tour of the Australian War Memorial. Bill Shorten and Tanya Plibersek are offering breakfast and Qantas has again offered a fantastic prize of two business class tickets to London or New York. Senator Fiona Nash is offering lunch or dinner for 4 at a top notch restaurant.  

 

The Foreign Minister, Julie Bishop, has offered up two unforgettable nights in Hollywood with VIP seats at G’Day USA, an intimate dinner at Curtis Stone’s hot new LA restaurant ‘Gwen’ with Hollywood director / producer Brett Ratner and Hollywood stars. The prize is for 2 and includes business class travel and 2 nights accommodation courtesy of Qantas.  

 

Press Gallery President Andrew Meares has hailed this year’s eBay auction as ‘our best yet’. ‘We are fortunate that so many senior political figures have generously donated fabulous prizes to raise funds for charity,’ Meares said.  

 

‘I can also confirm that the Orange Sky Laundry, the Australian Literacy and Numeracy Foundation and The Big Issue will be some of our major charity recipients this year.  

 

Click here to bid on the eBay Midwinter Ball Charity Auction.