September 9, 2012
Wondai Memorial Hall was filled to capacity on Saturday evening by sports fans eager to meet their heroes and raise money for a very good cause.
The annual Relay For Life “Celebrity Sports Dinner” attracted 230 patrons as well as three sporting superstars: former heavyweight boxing champion “Aussie” Joe Bugner (who brought along his Title belt), former Test fast bowler Jeff “Thommo” Thomson and Olympic gold-winning speed skater Steven Bradbury.
Local Test star Carl Rackemann, one of the organisers for the big night, said the dinner had been a tremendous success and although it was too early to put a final figure on the funds raised, he expected it to have reached $20,000.
An auction of sporting memorabilia was well-supported. A signed bat, authenticated by the Bradman Museum and brought to the auction by Thommo, was sold for $3100.
The huge raffle was also very popular.
The sports stars took turns at the podium but the unexpected hit of the night was Olympic skater Bradbury who drew a standing ovation.
Alex Woodland, from the Cancer Council Queensland’s Toowoomba branch, also spoke, explaining how the funds raised would be used.
“He said one of the big problems is accommodation for country people receiving treatment,” Carl said.
“But last year in Toowoomba a brand new facility was opened which people from the South Burnett have already taken advantage of.”
- Related article: Sporting Heroes Heading To Wondai
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