Publish date: 10 June 2019

Cheers and roaring applause lifted the rooftop of the Maroochy RSL last Friday 7 June when more than 340 wine-loving members of the local business community gathered at the annual Travis Schultz Wine Makers Master Class and raised just over a staggering $141,000 for charity.

Now in its seventh year running, this year’s tally takes the total amount raised over the past seven years to more than $440,000 for SunnyKids, which supports at-risk children and families on the Sunshine Coast.

Event founder and gold partner, Travis Schultz, said he and the SunnyKids team were overwhelmed by the generosity and enthusiasm from guests at the sold-out Wine Makers Master Class.

“The success of this year’s event was an extraordinary display of the generous and giving community spirit that is alive and well here on the Sunshine Coast,” Mr Schultz said.

“Not to mention the exceptional event management by the SunnyKids team, the wineries who gave up their time and the big-hearted businesses that got behind the cause.”

The exclusive event, backed by NAB, incorporated a vast array of wines that were perfectly matched to the five-course degustation menu. Guests were entertained by MC’s Todd and Sami from 92.7 Mix FM, Professional Saxophonist, guitarist and singer Dean Stewart and Travis Schultz who interviewed four winemaker special guests.

Winemakers shared insights about their wines, their winemaking processes and their business success from a wide range of regions including Sirromet Wines and their multi-regional vineyards, The Little Wine Company in the Hunter Valley, ATR Wines from the Grampians in Victoria and Kilikanoon Wines of the Clare Valley.

Owner and winemaker at ART Wines, Adam Richardson, said it was a privilege to be involved in the Travis Schultz Wine Makers Master Class and declared it was the most successful charity event he’s been to in Australia.

“When my wine distributor, Select Wines, first recommended the opportunity, it was an obvious one to agree to because I knew how passionate Travis Schultz was about wine and raising funds for worthy charities,” Mr Richardson said.

“The synergy of a good crowd, good wine, a good cause and outstanding event coordination made for a very impressive event and it was good fun to be part of the festivity.”

Event manager and SunnyKids charity manager, Debbie Battaglini said funds raised from this year’s event will provide intensive family support for up to 100 families in SunnyKids highly effective schools-based program.

“In this program, SunnyKids identifies the families who are most at risk and in need and then deploys available resources to provide support and improve their kids’ future,” Ms Battaglini said.

Mr Schultz congratulated and thanked everyone behind making this event possible, including the SunnyKids team, the event committee made up of a bunch of truly committed volunteers, Dan Sowden of Ray White Maroochydore and James Goldsworthy – Ray White Mooloolaba, sponsors and event partners:

“The result from Friday’s event truly demonstrates that together, we can achieve amazing things,” Mr Schultz said.


Jennifer Swaine
Jennifer Swaine


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