By John Redmond
The Australian Chamber of Commerce in Korea (AustCham Korea) held its annual Chairman’s Night on Sept. 21 at Cube Agore in Gangnam, Seoul.
The event was a charity fundraiser for the Jeon Jin Sang Medical Clinic and Hospice in Shiheung, Gyeonggi Province.
The evening was a fun-filled night of dining and dancing as amateur dancers from the AustCham Korea community competed for the audience’s vote to win the title.
Seven contestants, who trained intensely for the event for eight weeks, competed with their trainers (as couples) to become the “2012 Dancing Under the Stars Champion.” The winners were decided by a popular vote along with a judging panel of three, including a professional dancer. Dancers competed for the honor of being named champion, and for some great prizes from generous sponsors.
With opening remarks from Brendan Berne, deputy head of mission from the Australian embassy in Korea, a selection of guests were invited to participate in a free dance lesson organized by AustCham Korea.
This event was followed by a kendo demonstration. Kendo is a modern Japanese martial art of sword-fighting based on traditional swordsmanship (kenjutsu) which originated within the Samurai class of feudal Japan.
Following a brief buffet style meal, AustCham Korea chairman Peter Feltis, officially opened the dancing competition.
With the standard surprisingly high, the format was typical of TV style dance competitions with couples given feedback from the floor judges.
The competition first prize winner was Charlotte Kirkcaldie.
The evening closed with a raffle draw with prizes from sponsors that included premium accommodation packages, fine wine, luxury test drives and dining packages from Somerset Palace Seoul, COEX InterContinental Seoul, Grand Hyatt Seoul, Grand Hilton Seoul, Novotel Seoul, Accor, Porsche, BMW, Moet Hennesey, Peiroth Wines, Pier8, Berlin Cafe & Lounge, Buddha’s Belly Itaewon and Cotters Korea Aussie Fish and Chips.
AustCham Korea consists of 100 corporate members, and has been in existence in its current form since 2008, although the original Australian Business Group in Korea was created in 1990. Its primary mission is to promote Australian business and AustCham Korea member interests in Korea as an effective source of information, networking and representation. AustCham’s Chairman is Peter Feltis, who is also vice president of industrial and infrastructure business support at Samsung Engineering and its executive director is Jiseon Kim.
The Jeon Jing Sang Center was established in 1975, to assist those on low incomes in southwest Seoul.
It started out to provide medical and palliative care in a home environment, social consultations, legal assistance, after-school care, and support to isolated people.
In 1992 it became an internship destination for medical and nursing students who wanted to help out and gain experience in this area.
In 2008, the center opened its eight bed hospice unit where terminally ill patients and their families are looked after around the clock.