The Sir Roden Cutler Charities was established in 2003 in Sydney, and has now been broadened to the NSW Central Coast and Newcastle and plans are to see it extend to each State of Australia.
There were 350 patrons in attendance with a $500 a ticket price tag and numerous items for auction including the experience of a South African fighter-jet ride into the stratosphere, which went for $28,000. The opportunity to experience a tour of a Western Australian diamond mine went for $25,000 while a 'Northern Territory experience' went for $22,000.
Patrons meanwhile could purchase a range of 'Sir Roden Cutler Charities' commemorative medals for $1000, $500, $200 or $100.
However the undisputed focus of attention of the occasion was Basil Sellers, philanthropist and retired businessman. This was no better illustrated than when a group of retired Australian cricketers went on stage as singers, stripped off their shirts to reveal black T-shirts - 'The Basil Sellers All-Stars' – and performed for the esteemed audience.
Lead singer was Mike Whitney who took the audience by storm with his exuberant enthusiasm and brilliant voice, to the delight of patrons.
In honouring Basil Sellers, both former Australian cricket captain Steve Waugh and fast bowler Glen McGrath spoke of the generosity towards their respective Foundation charities. A number of video clips were also shown, illustrating his assistance to (among others) the Sydney Swans AFL players and coach Paul Roos, and cricketers who received the Basil Sellers Scholarship, Adam Gilchrist and Phillip Hughes.
The Sir Roden Cutler Charities founder Mr Chris Williams addressed the gathering citing the many attributes of Basil Sellers and in so doing stated that he supports 50 charities.
However only three were specifically mentioned, the Steve Waugh Foundation, the Glen McGrath Foundation and Well-Being Australia – Mark and Delma Tronson.
Basil Sellers, a practising Christian, has supported Mark and Delma Tronson's ministries since 1988 when he met Mark at the Centennial Cricket Dinner in Sydney.
Mark and Delma served as the Australian Cricket Team chaplain for 17 years to 2000 when they moved sideways to Life After Cricket, and established respite facilities 'Basil Sellers Moruya' and 'Basil Sellers Tweed' for Australian Institute of Sport athletes and coaches.
In addition Basil Sellers has supported two art centres and the bi-annual $10,000 Basil Sellers Art Prize in Moruya on the NSW south coast and a research and study on-line library.
Mr Basil Sellers lends his name to their Christian media ministries:
Press Service International, Australian Missionary News IPTV.