2009 - Another Successful Night!
Our community and supporters did not let us down and we had another bumper Bear Affair with $196,000 raised from the event – an amazing result considering a tough year all round. A spectacular live auction of holidays and other packages wowed the attendees and the beautifully bright Bear Cave had our regulars in a frenzy. Thanks to all for a fabulous evening and of course our wonderful sponsors Citi, Navigate Financial Group, RWA Austbrokers, Artvue Printing and Tulloch.

2008 - Reaching New Highs
2008 marked the big one! With an amazing array of Live and Silent Auction items, the event was an overwhelming success with our biggest total raised of over $200,000.

This was made possible with support from our wonderful Diamond Dogs who got the guests dancing, and our key event sponsors of Citi, RWA Austbrokers, Artvue Printing, St George and Tulloch and Fosters.

2007 - The Sky's The Limit
With a solid committee in place and growing the 2007 event was held on Bear Cottage's sixth anniversary, 17th March 2007. This was again achieved in part through the generosity of our event sponsors Citigroup, Austbrokers RWA Group. Entertainment this year was provided by the incredible Diamond Dogs.

This years event also had the incredible support of St George Bank through the supply of their fabulous Silent Auction Software and Logistics System.

Thanks to Denise Ellis Kelly and Mark Kelly and Steve Thomas for their involvement in making A Bear Affair the success it is today.

2006 - A New Air
By 2006 the demand for tickets was growing and A Bear Affair made the move to the Manly Pacific (managed by Novotel). The event was a special night being one of a series of events to mark the 5th birthday of Bear Cottage.

This year the event was humbled to hear about the value of Bear Cottage first hand from two Bear Cottage parents, Laura and Bruce. It had 300 guests and over 300 donors and raised a staggering $150 000. This goal was achieved through the introduction of event sponsor. This years key sponsors were Citigroup and XSI.

An enormous debt of gratitude is owed to Pamela Goldsmith a founder of this event who gave her heart and soul to bringing this event to this place as well as her wonderful husband Max Goldsmith who was a constant support and a founding committee member.

2005 - Changes In The Air
In 2004 a committee was recruited to assist with the growing workload and to ensure we had the best skill base possible. The decision was made to move the dinner to a Saturday night earlier in the year.

CURIOUS Design New Zealand came on board and refreshed the look of the event with our little bear and logo which have remained with the event over the ensuing years.

The dinner was held on Saturday March 12th and with the assistance of the International College of Management we were able to avail the services of Alana Tran (Trans) and Christine Manfield as celebrity chefs for the evening. There were 220 guests at this event which raised $100 000.

Thanks to two of the foundation committee members John Humphrey and David Rolls.

2003 - Moving Right Along
In 2003 the gala dinner was held again at the magnificent International College of Management Sydney on Friday August 1st. In honor of the horses birthday there was a racing theme. This second dinner again had around 200 guests with 150 donors involved but this year raised $50 000.

Special thanks to Emilie who came on board this year and was instrumental in bringing the event together.

2002 - Humble Beginnings
The first A Bear Affair gala dinner was held on Friday October 11th. It came about through the vision and dedication of a small group of volunteers and staff. In its first year A Bear Affair involved 150 donors and 200 guests. It was held at the International College of Management Sydney and raised $25 000.

Special thanks to Jo and Tracy who were involved in this initial vision and to Sheena who gave us our name and the Bear Cave and has remained a great consultant over the years.