Brisbane based poet Rupert McCall holds a special place in the hearts of the New York Fire Department following his critically acclaimed tribute, A Firefighter’s Dream, written in response to the tragic events of 9/11 which he will recite at the Spirit of Peregian Gala Ball on 11 September.
New York’s Captain of Rescue 2 Liam Flaherty said he was so impressed when he first heard Rupert’s critically acclaimed tribute that he contacted Rupert and invited him to New York to recite the poem.
Captain Flaherty said in the years following 9/11, he had heard speeches, songs, poems and sermons from poets, priests and politicians alike, but Rupert’s poem was head and shoulders above the rest.
“I could not believe that a person a half a world away – someone I had never met – could strike a chord so closely with our experience in New York. This man has an incredible gift.
“In 2011, I invited Rupert to New York and, on the night of 9/11, in a sunset ceremony at the site of the World Trade Centre, he stunned a crowd of thousands when he recited those magical words on the very ground where so many of my brothers were lost.
“There wasn’t a dry eye on the street that night. It remains one of the most powerful moments I have ever experienced.“
Rupert will be the special guest and MC for the 2021 Spirit of Peregian Gala Ball on the 20th anniversary of the September 11 attack at a fundraising dinner under the stars to support the future re-building of the Peregian Beach Surf Life Saving Club.
Peregian Family and Friends Inc founder and vice president Leigh McCready said she was delighted to have Rupert participate in the fundraising event.
“If it wasn’t for Covid, Rupert would have been in America to mark the occasion with his friends at the New York Fire Brigade so it’s such a privilege to have him with us and I have no doubt that Rupert’s moving poem ‘A Firefighter’s Dream’ will be a highlight of the night.
“For more than 25 years, Rupert’s tributes to special events and occasions have become highly sought-after and treasured for the indelible mark they’ve left on audiences everywhere.“
Raised in Redcliffe, the father of four is the author of six anthologies of verse that have collectively sold over 120,000 copies and has been a regular on radio and TV.
The gala event commences at 4.30pm with tickets at $280 per person which includes a specially curated canapes and three-course meal by acclaimed local chefs Peter Kuruvita, Ryan Fitzpatrick and Adriano Zumbo as well as live music.
Tickets can be purchased at events.humanitix.com/spirit-of-peregian
