Bolle's 30th Birthday Bash

(click to see more images for Bolle 30th Birthday Party event)

Bolle's 30^th Anniversary on 17 June was held at 'The Deck' a very exclusive venue in St. Kilda, Melbourne. A scene of decadence was set with a crystal blue pool complete with floating flower wreaths spelling 'Bolle' and a video projection of famous Bolle ads and action snaps of the company's sponsored athletes.

Special guests included Blake Lipham, President of the U.S. parent company Bushnell, and Australian athletes including gold medal aerial skier Lydia Lassila; beach volleyball queen and committed Bolle spokesperson for over 20 years, Kerri Pottharst and ironman world champion Shannon Eckstein.

Managing Director John Toouli thanked the Bolle staff, sponsors, dispensers and athletes for their ongoing support over the years. John has been involved with Bolle for over 16 years and he said that the main aim of the 30^th Anniversary celebration, "as well as paying tribute to the brand, is to acknowledge our business partners as well as our staff and their commitment. It's about the total company including our friends and partners, not just the company on its own. Bolle could not have been the success it is without them."

It was obvious when talking to staff, distributors and even sponsored athletes that "Bolle is like a family".

Eric Collicoat, John Toouli's predecessor, took the stage at the insistence of the crowd. He founded the company 30 years ago and described in humorous detail how he and his brother Keith sold the product at the markets.

"Our first company car was an old L300 van which was falling to bits. We travelled all up and down the coast selling the glasses ourselves mainly to surf and skate shops."