Gala Dinner – celebrating 75 years

The spectacular ballroom of the Sheraton on the Park hotel in Sydney was the venue for the NECA NSW 75th anniversary dinner function. The night was filled with entertainment, fun and frivolity but also recognised the contribution to the industry made by so many individuals and businesses.

The evening commenced with drinks and the opportunity for many old friends to catch up and reminisce about the industry and NECA over the years. Guests were then served an exceptional meal as the evening unfolded.

Special effort was made throughout the evening to showcase the latest in theatrical and other lighting displays and the comments made by guests as they entered the ballroom reflected their delight with the effort made by NECA to make the venue and the evening a night to remember.

During the course of the function, Master of Ceremonies, Tracy Bartram, took guests on a multimedia journey through the decades since NECAs establishment in 1936 brilliantly interweaving key NECA highlights with technological and other interesting and fascinating events happening at the time.

We honoured our NECA life members and their partners for their efforts on behalf of the industry over many years and it was wonderful to see them receive the accolades they so richly deserve. There was also time to award certificates of appreciation to representatives of NECA business partners who have played such an important part in the development of the industry.

The evening had some special surprises with unsuspecting guests being treated to spectacular comedy and operatic singing by the famous singing group, The Three Waiters, who had mingled with guests masquerading as waiters during the main course.

We welcomed the new Minister for Resources and Energy, The Hon Chris Hartcher, as our special guest along with many other dignitaries attending from within government, our industry or from related industries such as the Master Plumbers and the Refrigeration and Air-conditioning Contractors Association. The attendance of so many senior representatives from organisations related to our industry is indicative of the strength of the bonds and the friendship that NECA enjoys across the spectrum.

With the main formalities over, guests were treated to a fantastic finale of music and dancing, and many present continued the celebrations well into the night.

A fantastic event, showcasing what NECA can do and demonstrating how our industry has moved ahead to develop and embrace new technologies.