Angela Leary

Editor/writer with Government Information Services Department

I'm not normally accused of taking long to get ready to go out, but one recent big night out took me six months.

Last June, I returned from my second visit to Animals Asia Foundation's rescue centre for farmed moon bears in Chengdu, Sichuan. There's nothing like looking into the eyes of one of these beautiful creatures for a blast of inspiration. The second Moon Bear Rock was soon in the planning.

Delaney's Wan Chai agreed to host the musical fundraiser again, and also offered to donate 70 per cent of proceeds to the cause. The big day came, with butterflies fluttering furiously in my stomach. Everything was in place, but what if no one turned up?

I needn't have worried. From the first strumming from local outfit 1 Roof, the night was a blast. More than 350 people crammed into Delaney's, opening their hearts and wallets to the tune of more than $100,000.

Animals Asia chief executive and founder Jill Robinson gave a moving presentation about the plight of the bears, then Melbourne singer/songwriter Bernard Curry brought down the house with his Willow's Song - an ode to one of the bears.