December 12, 2016
Four local not-for-profit groups are each $200 richer thanks to a chat on the radio between Barry Green and 4SB breakfast announcer Inga Milosic.
The former Division 1 councillor and racing tragic was spruiking the then-upcoming Nanango Race meeting, and giving out some tips.
Division 2 councillor Gavin “Spud” Jones rang in offering to put $50 on one of Barry’s picks.
Not to be outdone, current Division 1 councillor Roz Frohloff also put in $50, as did Drew and Rebecca Jackson (Fitzroy Hotel, Nanango) and Tony and Evelyn Green (Bunya Nut Cafe, Blackbutt) – all on condition that any winnings go to charity.
“Barry tells me he is the second best punter in Australia, and he’s still looking for the best,” Spud said.
So the “second best” punter in Australia suddenly had $200 to wager at the recent Sunday Nanango races, as well as an opportunity to prove a point.
Barry decided to put it all on the nose of the top-weight (and favourite) in the last, “Total Surprise”.
The Warwick-trained gelding romped home by almost three lengths, earning $800 for charity.
So, on Monday, the winnings were divvied up in the foyer at 4SB: $200 to the Salvation Army, $200 to the Taromeo Rural Fire Brigade, $200 to the Nanango State School “Play Smart” program, and $200 to the Mayor’s Charity Christmas Fund.
Spud said he hoped to make the punting an ongoing thing, with four different businesses putting up a stake at the next Nanango Races.
“We won’t win all the time, of course, but when we do win we will put the money back into the local community,” he said.
