A successful charity golf day is an opportunity for Marine Rescue NSW to engage the community, have some fun and last but not least, raise money for the unit.
Marine Rescue Batemans Bay held their inaugural charity golf day 31 March 2023. More than 100 golfers took to Catalina Golf Club for some friendly competition to raise much needed funds for Marine Rescue Batemans Bay.
Unit Commander Rod Ingamells was thrilled with the turnout and over 25 members assisted on the day with raffles, putting competition, straightest drive, nearest to the pin, a BBQ, silent auction, auctions, and the presentation dinner.
“We hold these events so we can raise the profile of Marine Rescue NSW in the community. Everyone knows what we do to help on the water. This is an opportunity for our team to rub shoulders with the business community and people we have helped out over the years,” said the Unit Commander.
Marine Rescue Batemans Bay member and organiser of the Golf Day, Tom Cordukes, acknowledged the extraordinary efforts of unit members to make the day happen.
“It was a team effort at the base to pull everything together beforehand and an impressive roll up of blue uniforms on the day.
“Over 180 businesses were contacted by phone or in person to be invited to participate in the golf day.
“The business response was overwhelmingly positive when they heard it was a Marine Rescue NSW charity event.
“In the key support roles were Lyn Spanomanolis, Brigitte Klima, Liz Rankin, Greg Irvine and Geoff Thornthwaithe who did all the hard yards chasing down sponsorship, prizes, golf teams, media coverage and advertising, the team of Marine Rescue NSW volunteers that were present during the day was impressive and appreciated by all who had nothing but praise.”
The major sponsor Clyde Mazda TJM said the timing was perfect as they had some new MITS Alloy products to display, and that these events had pretty much disappeared over the last three years due to Covid.
Over 80 attended the dinner. It worth mentioning some VIP guests included, retired Air Vice Marshall Peter Criss and Julie Criss, and Retired Air Commodore and former Air Attaché to Australia’s Embassy in Washington, David Steele, CSC. Honoured guest speakers South Zone Commander Mike Hammond spoke at the evening dinner after local Federal MP Fiona Phillips and he thanked Fiona for her kind words about Marine Rescue NSW and agreed that community events such as this one brings people together to have some fun and help the Batemans Bay base at the same time.
Other speakers during the evening were Clare Lovelace from Soul Tribe Yoga and Wellness and Anthony Hall owner of Clyde Mazda.
The main auction held on the evening was conducted by Melissa Franzen not only did she conduct a serious bidding event she entertained our guest with her very quick wit and unusual tactics.
It was a great achievement not only raising substantial funding, but more importantly forming a closer relationship not only with the businesses but with the locals who participated. This event has cemented Marine Rescue Batemans Bay well and truly into our local community. The Catalina Golf Club did a wonderful job under the guidance of Mr Rodney Booth who organised the golf day’s events to perfection.
Marine Rescue Batemans Bay’s charity inaugural golf day turned out to be a triumph of a day.
A record 7,687 people were returned to shore after being assisted by Marine Rescue NSW volunteers during the 2024/25 boating season, which commenced on 1 October last year and concluded on ANZAC Day...
A volunteer crew from Marine Rescue Lemon Tree Passage spent almost seven hours on the water yesterday during a marathon mission to assist two stranded boaters on Boolambayte Lake. Image: Tracking of...
