My name is Dale Smedley.  I owned DT's hotel in Richmond for over 15 years.  The place where every colour of the rainbow drinks!   

My best friend is  Tom McFeely, and he owns The Peel Hotel in Collingwood. Probably THE most well known Gay venue in Australia.

This  fundraiser is for Tom & his venue.   But for those who don't know, it hasn't always been his.
 
He worked there for over 6 years and he simply couldn't bare the thought of The Peel  being developed or turning straight.   So he decided to put his balls on the line and rent the place out.   And I'm sure like me,  there are hundreds of thousands of you out there who are glad he did!

For over 20 years Tom has never wavered in his mission to make The Peel a true bastion for Gay Males and their guests.   The Peel is more than an institution, it is more than a vendor of liquor, it is more than a quick rub in the dunnies, and it is more than a boogie under the mirror ball.    It is all of these and more.    Everyone has a Peel story.  Everyone.

I cannot imagine a world without The Peel.   And neither can Tom.     And I'm hoping you can't either.   Being closed still costs money.   Being closed doesn't mean the rent is forgotten about and the utilities, insurance, and other outgoings are free.   

I might not remember every single great night I've had at The Peel - and I"m sure YOU don't either!   But I'm hoping you remember enough good times that it inspires and encourages you to make a donation that will help cover some of the costs and out of pocket expenses that have occurred during closedown, as well as those upcoming ones as Tom and his crew prepare for The Peel's reopening.

Thank you for your kindness, 

Dale Smedley
(Ex DT's, Ex Yarra Councillor, Current Best Friend)