There was a fashion fundraiser put on by Powerhouse Museum NSW.

The party was attended by 264 guests, 92 were unpaid and another 52 tickets were given to sponsors. Only 121 guests paid for tickets.
Event organisers flew four people to Sydney return from Dusseldorf, Paris and New York and 10 guests were accommodated in hotels for up to five nights each.
A further $10,000 was spent transporting visitors from interstate and picking up the tab for their transport around Sydney.
Designers Akira Isogowa, Jenny Kee, Linda Jackson and Collette Dinnigan mingled with the editors of Vogue and Harpers Bazaar, who, along with Powerhouse director Dolla Merrillees, were hosts of the event.

The fundraiser raised $78,000 for the Australian Fashion Foundation of which a mere $1,050 was raised from supporters on the night. but cost NSW taxpayers $215,000.

Here are some of the extravagant expenses.
Of the original $333,000 budget, $30,000 was estimated for entertainment, $50,000 to decorate and style the night with Museum to the Moon as its central theme and $64,000 for catering.
A calligrapher, stage manager and two assistants, make-up artist and event photographer were to be hired for the occasion along with a production manager ($7000), audio director ($3500) and lighting designer ($2500) to coordinate the scenic and theatrical lighting design itself costing $25,000. A media wall to photograph arriving guests was to be installed at a cost of $15,000 with a black carpet, and there were lavish table arrangements and linens.
$30,000 for branding, $25,000 for table centerpieces and printing, and $17,000 that was paid to "ambassadors and talent".

In addition to the cash expenses, the party had approximately $200,000 worth of in-kind sponsorship consisting of international airfares, hotel rooms, vodka, wine and French champagne, bringing the total value of the party to nearly $600,000.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-07-25/powerhouse-museum-uses-public-money-to-prop-up-fashion-party/10026264

http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/art-and-design/no-expenses-spared-in-powerhouse-fashion-ball-20190302-p511bz.html

http://www.news.com.au/finance/money/costs/witness-claims-to-have-seen-guests-sniff-substances-at-failed-gala-ball/news-story/acaf439964398a2cc7b38ea81481ea6

Well, Margaret Thatcher so aptly stated "The problem with Socialism is that eventually you run out of other peoples' money"

I suppose in Australia we can confidently say that "as per usual Labor will again run out of our money".

This is a question of bad planning and mismanagement
by inexperienced people. The Museum could have done
a better job with the right more experienced people in charge.
I've seen and atttended many functions that former personality
and hairdresser Lillian Frank used to organise. She always
succeeded at high-profile events and always made money.
They were fantastic - and affordable. Yet the raised so
much money - and profiles.
Someone like her with her expertise was needed here.

The event could have ended with better results for far less
money withe the right partnerships that could have developed
the collection, raised a profile - one that fitted exactly
with the resources of the institution.

I very much doubt if they will repeat this fiasco next year.

Socialists?
These were your lot from the top end of town trough snouters.
Dont blame this on Labor it is the lieberals who are in charge and they are responsible for this.

mikk,
Liberals in charge of a Museum & other arty-farty outfits?? Get real !
The Lefties would NEVER permit a Conservative among their ranks !