Swans Ladies Lunch, Doltone House, Pyrmont

Swans Ladies Lunch, Doltone House, Pyrmont
Thursday 17 May, 2007

We had high expectations about today's lunch....the promise was a captive audience with the Sydney Swans.......... and 550+ women. Who knew what would happen? As a loyal member of the Swans I had signed up for this lunch for 4 other season ticket holders.

We arrived for the 12pm kick off and had to squeeze through the crowd to secure our first drinks. It was a free for all with the most diverse crowd of women - corporates, loyal fans decked out in club colours and the rest of us.

Our party of 5 were seated on Table 17 with 5 new friends - who have been loyal members for over 11 years. Words can't adequately describe how entertaining this lunch was - our new friends had started drinking last Christmas so were primed, botoxed, lifted and ready to enjoy this event.

Dotted around the edges of the dining space were 1 x Benefit makeup stall plus the wonderful staff from Mobile Healing Hands with 2 x manicure stations and 2 x seated massage areas. Everything was available for the duration of the event.

The Doltone House staff meant well however they didn't keep the glasses topped up. We all had to flag down the staff on several occasions to sample the fabulous Tempus Two wines on offer:

- Pewter Sparkling Pinot Chardonnay
- Copper Melange a Trois A blend
- Copper Cabernet Merlot
- Copper Moscato

The main meal was stuffed baby lamb shoulder with spinach, pine nuts and baby glazed carrots and vanilla jus. The lamb was so tender and delicious - everyone on our table was very impressed. The dessert was millefeuille of raspberry, pistachio creme patisserie with raspberry compote and lemon syrup. It was crumbly, messy and would have been so nice with a dollop of ice cream, custard or cream.........or all 3. But, that said, for a crowd of over 550 people the food was fantastic.

Sandra Sully hosted the event and I was really disappointed by the way she 'dumbed herself down' and acted like a complete bimbo when talking with the crowd and interviewing the players. On the other hand, Rebecca Wilson was great - frank, honest and a loyal Swans fan, she asked tough questions and wasn't afraid to disagree with or challenge the players.

The fans and 'celebrities' were out in force. Tom Williams, Anna Coren, Raylene Boyle (what a champion) it was hard to know where to look. The players were decked out in their club ties and neat suits. Sadly, coach Paul Roos, Barry Hall, Michael O'Loughlin, Brett Kirk, Jude Bolton and Adam Goodes were missing. Seriously, for a $115 luncheon the expectation is that all players plus the coach are present.

The players that were present did a good job of selling raffle tickets, having their photos taken, signing autographs, being interviewed by various media and taking part in the panel discussion on stage........especially Peter 'Spida' Everitt and Tadhg Kennelly.

After having a manicure, enjoying the meal, wines and our table of new friends we picked up our goodie bags stocked full of product from Diet Coke, Sky Vodka, Kit Kat, Nivea and various publishing houses. It was an entertaining long lunch and we will all sign up for next year.

Cheer, cheer the red and the white,

Honour the name by day and by night,

Lift that noble banner high,

Shake down the thunder from the sky

Whether the odds be great or small,

Swans will go in and win overall

While her loyal sons are marching

Onwards to victory.

Swans Ladies Lunch - Doltone House, Piers 19-21, Upper deck 26-32, Pirrama Rd, Pyrmont

http://www.doltonehouse.com.au/