Drakes hosted an exclusive 50th anniversary Gala dinner on 13 April at the Adelaide Convention Centre, situated on the scenic Riverbank in Adelaide.
The significant milestone was celebrated in grand style, where every detail sparkled with opulent gold accents. With a distinguished guest list of 900, including valued suppliers and staff, the stage was set for an evening of grand festivities.
The Premier of South Australia the Hon Peter Malinauskas MP addressed the room highlighting the significance of Roger Drake and the Drakes business, followed by Drakes General Manager Bob Soang who presented on behalf of the company and the many staff, sharing some remarkable stories over the years.
John-Paul Drake also honoured his father on stage on behalf of the family and future generations, before Drakes Operations Manager (and longest serving employee of Drakes) Phil Shayler presented Roger with his 50 Year Service Badge, together with a 50 Year plaque representing the five decades of the Drakes business from its humble beginnings in 1974 to 2024.
All in the room raised a toast to Roger on his service to the supermarket retail industry, sharing fond memories and reflecting on the remarkable evolution of Drakes.
Guests also were treated to a three-course meal whilst enjoying a lineup of special guests including renowned Australian violinist, Sally Cooper. Australian Icon Delta Goodrem then graced the stage with a captivating performance.
As the night unfolded, the celebrations continued with an after-party where guests continued to dance the night away in celebration of this momentous occasion.
“This evening served not only as a celebration of all our past achievements as a business, but also as testament to the bright future ahead. As Drakes venture into the next 50 years, we do so with thanks to all our suppliers, our dedicated staff and most importantly our valued customers who continue support an Australian family owned and operated business,” Roger Drake said.
