Long-term Noosa resident Mary Mosses was the lucky winner of a $35,000 piece of jewellery, custom-designed by Priest Jewellers owner Eliahi Priest in memory of his wife, Kristy-Elle.
Raising funds for the hospice where Kristy-Elle spent her last days, the bracelet is a stunning combination of diamonds, pink tourmaline, rose quartz and amethyst nestled in 18-carat white gold.
The winner was drawn at the annual Katie Rose Cottage Forget-me-not Gala, and Mary was presented with her bracelet while being joined by Noosa Mayor Clare Stewart at Noosa Civic on Friday 23 June.
Mary, who has lived in Noosa for 26 years, said she couldn’t believe she was lucky enough to win the bracelet.
“My friend rang me and she said ‘Have you heard the news?’ and I said ‘No’, and she said she had seen on Facebook that I won the prize.
“I said ‘You’re joking’. I entered the raffle for the cause and because I knew the family. It had been two months so I had forgotten all about the raffle.”
When asked where she would wear the bracelet first, Mary politely said, “I think I’ll just look at it.”
The family business launched the fundraising lottery ticket sales for a special cause on Monday 6 March at Noosa Civic Shopping Centre where Mr Priest said, “I called it Kristy-Elle bracelet because my beautiful wife passed away from cancer last year after a courageous and powerful 12-month battle with that horrible disease.“
“When we finally arrived at Katie Rose, we were lucky enough that Kristy-Elle was able to have a bed and I could just let go and be with my wife while Katie Rose took over.
“I have never witnessed or experienced care like the care that Katie Rose gave, in my entire life. In those moments, I made a resolution to myself that I’d step up and help Katie Rose, and will continue to for the rest of our time here in Noosa.”
Katie Rose head of fundraising and partnerships Leigh McCready said, “We think it’s wonderful that a local and long-term customer of Priest Jewellers was the lucky winner of the bracelet.”
“Nearly 1100 tickets were sold, and the overall financial benefit to the hospice was over $25,000.
“It’s due to collaborations like this with businesses, organisations and individuals that Katie Rose Cottage is able to continue delivering our service to the community.”
