Tyrone man Paddy takes home gold at the Sydney St Patrick’s Day’s Irish Bachelor of the Year Awards this weekend
Friday, February 26, 2010 On Saturday 20th February, 11 of Sydney’s hottest Irish bachelors competed in the Sydney St Patrick’s Day Irish Bachelor of the Year Awards competition, a key fundraising event for the annual Sydney St Patrick’s Day Parade and Family Day. The winner was Tyrone man from Derrylaughan Paddy Coary.
The shocked 23 year old quantity surveyor was announced overall winner of the Irish Bachelor of the Year 2010 in a unanimous vote by all four judges. The audience stood to ovation at his performance piece, a swing dance with a female partner to Michael Buble's 'Haven't Met You Yet' after he told the audience about his love of the the Aussie lifestyle of BBQs and Bondi Beach, but still gets to enjoy GAA by playing with Sydney team Penrith Gaels. He misses his family most and told guests that he can't wait to go home to attend two weddings later this year.
As well as being interviewed by Judges before the event, on the night all were interviewed on stage and performed a party piece. Bachelors also had one more challenge this year. Over the past two months special guest judge Deirdre Prendergast has been the voice for the single, female Irishwoman in Australia. Each bachelor was charged with taking Deirdre on a fun, thoughtful date costing no more than AUD$50. Paddy's date was taking Deirdre on a kayaking trip in Sydney Harbour.
An audience of 400 guests were treated to an evening at the grand ballroom of the Four Seasons Hotel. The panel of judges includes veteran Sydney St Patrick’s Day Bachelor of the Year judge Home and Away actor Lynn McGranger, Irish radio personality Michael Lyons and Dubliner Deirdre Prendergast.
Paddy was sponsored by Taste Ireland, the online Irish grocery store for Australia and New Zealand, owned by Eamon Eastwood, who is originally from Cookstown. Eamon said: "We were delighted when Paddy agreed with a little persuasion to take part in the competition on behalf of Taste Ireland. He's so modest and such an affable guy, he really stood out as a natural winner on the night and we're thrilled he won!"
Paddy receives a prize of return flights to Ireland.
The Sydney St Patrick’s Day Irish Bachelor of the Year is the signature fundraising event for the Sydney St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Family Day. It is currently in its eighth year.
ENDS
Pictured here: Paddy announced winner of Sydney Irish Bachelor of the Year 2010 by judge Deirdre Prendergast. Photo by Shane O'Neill, at the ball at the Four Seasons Hotel,Sydney.
For more Information contact:
Mary Hickey
Tel: +61 414 652 442
Email: media@stpatricksday.org.au
Website: www.stpatricksday.org.au
Background to the Sydney St Patrick’s Day Parade and Family Day
In Australia, St Patrick’s Day celebrations have taken place on 17 March since 1810, when the then Governor, Lachlan Macquarie, declared the date an official day of celebration for the Irish and those of Irish heritage.
200 years later, we are still celebrating with an annual street parade and family day on the third Sunday of March – this year on Sunday 21 March 2010.
The Parade commences at midday at starts at the corner of Town Hall on George Street and Bathurst Street continuing to Park St and around Elizabeth St, ending at Hyde Park near St James Station. The fun continues with the Family Day in Hyde Park, opening from 1pm to 7pm.
The Family Day will have something for everyone, from entertainment on the Main Stage from Irish musicians and dancers, to the colourful interactive Children’s Area. Food stands will serve Irish food and snacks and the beverage stands will cater for all tastes, from Irish tea to a good old glass of Guinness!
The Sydney St Patrick’s Day Parade is organised by a group of volunteers from the Irish-Australian community. As a non-profit organisation, financial support is key to the continuing success of the Sydney St Patrick’s Day celebrations through fundraising throughout the year, Friends of St Patrick membership and the ever-popular Irish Bachelor of the Year event.




