Crowe, Hawkins, Rowland & Jackman support Xbox Konsoles for Kids Charity Auction to celebrate landmark achievement
SYDNEY – April 19, 2010 – Microsoft Corp. announced today that sales of Xbox 360 consoles have passed the magic 1 million mark across Australia and New Zealand (ANZ). To celebrate this milestone moment, Xbox is undertaking an online charity auction, the Xbox Konsoles for Kids Charity Auction, auctioning off unique, one-of-a-kind consoles to raise money for local charity, the David Peachey Foundation (DPF) (http://davidpeachey.org/).
International pop star, Kelly Rowland kicked off the Xbox Konsoles for Kids Charity Auction with her own airbrushed and signed console up for auction. “It’s great to be here to celebrate with Xbox, one million consoles sold is huge!” Rowland said. “What better way to celebrate the one million milestone than by raising money for a great cause, the David Peachey Foundation. All the one-of-a-kind consoles look awesome, so get bidding Australia!”
The airbrushed Xbox 360 consoles, will be auctioned off for five weeks from today with several A-List celebrities such as Russell Crowe, Jennifer Hawkins, Kim Kardashian and Hugh Jackman, signing up to raise funds, with all proceeds donated to the David Peachy Foundation. There will also be a unique Halo console designed by Oscar-winning, Richard Taylor of New Zealand’s Weta Workshop and a ‘Crystal’ console, boasting more than 10,000 semi-precious stones. Please see the following link for further detail around consoles, imagery and a further link to the eBay auction site: www.xbox.com.au/charityauction
David McLean, Regional Director, Entertainment and Devices Division, Microsoft Australia comments, “Xbox has been a strong supporter of the David Peachey Foundation for many years, providing Microsoft software and technology and helping the foundation and its students from communities across Australia. Reaching one million gave us a great opportunity to raise as much money as we can for ‘Peach’ and the Foundation, so get onboard and make a bid.”
McLean continues; “Reaching the one million console milestone is a great achievement and one that puts us in a great position for the coming year. Since 2006, we’ve taken the lead in the innovation space and driven the growth in online entertainment. Our online community, Xbox LIVE, is one of the largest online communities in the ANZ region with more than 525,000 subscribers. We also offer services such as Facebook and Twitter on Xbox LIVE and movies streamed in HD direct to your television, which really sets us apart from our competition.”
Over the course of the auction, signed and airbrushed consoles will be auctioned off from the following celebrities, with further celebrities still to be announced:
| Week | Date | Konsoles up for the bidding |
| WK One | Monday 19th April – Friday 23rd April | Russell Crowe, Kelly Rowland, Crystal Console and Weta Workshop’s Halo console |
| WK Two | Monday 26th April – Friday 30th April | Kim Kardashian, Sass and Bide, Elle McPherson, Jennifer Hawkins |
| WK Three | Monday 3rd May – Friday 7th May | Hugh Jackman, Hamish and Andy, Home and Away |
| WK Four | Monday 10th May – Friday 14th May | Harry Kewell, Tim Cahill, Usain Bolt and Mark Webber |
| WK Five | Monday 17th May – Friday 21st May | Masterchef, Jaime Oliver, Slash |
Founder of the DPF, David Peachey said of the milestone, “Xbox has been a great supporter of the David Peachey Foundation for a number of years. We’re proud to be part of Xbox’s one million console celebration and thank all the celebrities that graciously gave up their time to support our cause. The money raised will go towards education and encouraging young indigenous kids in our community to aspire to great things.”
Special Edition consoles
Halo console
Specially designed and built for the ‘Xbox 360 Konsole’s for Kids Charity Auction’, Oscar-winning, Richard Taylor and Weta Workshop (NZ) produced a truly unique Halo console inspired by the collectibles created for Halo 3. Featuring the iconic Master Chief figure propelling himself through the air and blasting the console with his UNSC battle rifle, this is a must buy item for any Halo fan.
‘Crystal’ console
Nothing sparkles quite like the ‘Crystal’ console. Boasting more than 10,000 semi-precious stones and valued at more than $1000.00 (AU), this one-of-a-kind design is set to be a showpiece for the most glamorous ‘bling’ living room.
Available now from participating retailers, the new Xbox 360 Easter pack features an Xbox 360 Elite console and comes with two critically acclaimed Xbox 360 exclusive games: Halo 3: ODST and Forza Motorsport 3 with an RRP; $449*.