The who's who of the business & sporting communities are arriving at the AURA Function Space at the Crowne Plaza in the heart of Hobart for the Carbine Club Tasmania Cricket Luncheon. The response to the big event has been good with more than 140 guests packing out the rooftop venue in anticipation of listening to the big-name guest speaker who is one the all time great cricket players. They are all there to hear from Sir Ian 'Beefy' Botham, and the event is about to begin.

It's then Carbine Club Tasmania President Steve Adermann receives a phone he really didn't want or need - it's Ian Botham's manager calling to say that he and the special guest speaker had not made the flight to Hobart in time and were stuck in Melbourne. It's too late to cancel the event, so the decision is made to push on and hope that technology will come to the rescue by having the guest speaker join the luncheon via Zoom on the big-screens rather than in-person at the lectern.

It's time for the President's address and after welcoming guests, there is an interview with Tasmanian Female Boxer Kayla McKeown who the club had sponsored to help with the costs of traveling to participate in bouts and conduct tournaments in Hobart to host interstate boxing matches. She has the room captivated as she speaks about her career so far and ambitions to turn professional. During the interview with the Club President, Kayla reveals that she recently benefited from being able to spar with Australian Women's Boxing Champion and AFLW star Tayla Harris. She had the room in the palm of her hand and received a generous ovation after revealing how the Carbine Club's sponsorship had helped her to further pursue her sporting dream.

Next up, the induction of a new member, and well known racing radio personality and vice chair of the Tasmanian Turf Club Brent Crawford is called up to the microphone to accept his Carbine Club Tie and Name Badge. Guests are reminded that on February 9 next year, the special guest speaker at the Carbine Club Tasmania Derby Day Luncheon will be one of Australia's all time great jockeys Damien Oliver. 

No more avoiding it - the time has come to inform the room that the special guest speaker was a no-show. The circumstances were explained and that the Audio Vision Technician was working on a solution, by setting up a video conference call between the luncheon venue and the Melbourne Airport Virgin Airlines Lounge. 

The luncheon guests were very understanding and enjoyed their main course before it was time for the guest speaker to appear. Right on cue, the big-screens were filled with the image of Sir Ian Botham ready for a live interview with Carbine Club Tasmania member Steve Old. 'Beefy' spoke about the many highlights of his cricketing career, his relationship with Aussie players and supporters as well as giving an insight to the icy relationship with former Australian Captain Ian Chappell. There were plenty of laughs too, as the stories and anecdotes flowed throughout the presentation. Carbine Club member Bob Gozzi thanked Ian Botham for his presentation and didn't get to present him with the thank you gift of a bottle of Tasmanian Single Malt Whisky. Even though the opportunities to get a selfie with the the great man or grab his autograph weren't possible, the event was a big success with some even describing it as one of the best Carbine Club Tasmania functions they had attended. 

A raffle draw, fund-raising auction and happy hour at the rooftop bar rounded off the day nicely.