Relay For Life patron Carl Rackemann, and the major force behind the annual fundraiser, with one of the special purple cricket balls that were auctioned at this year’s Dinner With The CaptainsAnnie Strath and Georgie Gold with the rare cricket bat signed by Don Bradman which was a highlight of the charity auction
July 26, 2016
Saturday night’s “Dinner With The Captains” looks to have raised more than $50,000 for the Cancer Council of Queensland … and taken the South Burnett Relay For Life fundraising tally to well over $1 million!
Kingaroy Town Hall was packed to overflowing with sports fans eager to hear this year’s captains speak: former Test Cricket great Ian Chappell, the “king” of Rugby League Wally Lewis, and Nikki Hudson, the most capped player in the history of the Hockeyroos.
The trio were interviewed individually on stage by former South Burnett mayor – and sports tragic – Wayne Kratzmann.
The sports stars shared inside stories and gossip from their long careers.
Diners went home with no illusions about Chappelli’s “fondness” for former English captain Ian Botham, and perhaps were a tad shocked by one of Nikki’s quips, but were totally won over by the “Emperor of Lang Park”.
The audience was spellbound by Wally’s stories about his time at Valleys, Wynnum-Manly and the Broncos; and playing for Queensland and Australia … even if he did admit that at one stage he had entertained dreams of playing at Manly-Warringah.
The three-course dinner was prepared by chef Jimmy Stephen and his team from Dusty Hill, with assistance from Jason Ford and a squad of TAFE hospitality students.
School students waited on tables and took drinks orders.
After the sports stars finished on stage, attention turned to the serious part of the evening: raising funds.
There was a multi-prize raffle, silent auction and a live auction led by former Kingaroy auctioneer Dennis Cotter, who came back from Papua New Guinea for the evening.
One of the highlights of the auction was a souvenir cricket bat signed by the late Don Bradman. This simple piece of willow sold for $2600.
Six purple cricket balls, signed by the three captains, were sold for $375 each.
2016 is the eleventh year that the South Burnett has hosted a Relay For Life event.
Committee president Rowena Dionysius said 32 teams had entered so far for this year’s Relay – to be held on October 8-9 at the Kingaroy Showgrounds – but she was hoping for even more.
Registrations for the 2016 South Burnett Relay For Life can be made online
Rugby league legend Wally Lewis kept the audience spellbound with tales about his rugby league careerCompere Wayne Kratzmann was a tad stunned by a joke by Olympic hockey star Nikki HudsonFormer Test cricketer Ian Chappell shared some frank opinions about some of the other leading lights in the game … including Shane Warne, Steve Waugh and Ian Botham
Cancer Council of Queensland CEO Prof Jeff Dunn, AO and researcher Dr Wayne Schroder
Former baseball great Kevin Cantwell, 83, also earned a big round of applause on stage
Auctioneer Dennis Cotter in action during the giant sale of sporting memorabilia and other prizesDowner EDI operations manager Dave Waddell with former Australian Olympian volleyballers Shane Van Beest and Zane Christensen (Meandu Mining Manager)
2016 Face Of The Relay Allen Bassett with Rowena Dionysius, president SB Relay For Life Committee
Organising committee member Louise Rackemann presented a bouquet to guest speaker Nikki Hudson
John Box, from Kingaroy, was thrilled when rugby league great Wally Lewis signed his silver ball … the Garland Cup trophy was presented to John’s grandfather Jack Box in 1921
Eleanor and Wayne Kratzmann … Wayne was compere for the evening
Deputy Opposition Leader Deb Frecklington and her husband Jason
Selling drinks tickets at the main entrance were Lyn Hill, Trish Emslie, Lucy Montgomery and Tilleea Hoskins, from KingaroySome more of the “purple pirates” who were busy selling raffle tickets and drinks ticketsChef Jimmy Stephen with Raymond Dorse and Damien MacDonald, from Dusty Hill VineyardChef Jason Ford with some of the team of TAFE Hospitality students helping out on the night
Cr Ros Heit and her husband Kerry, from Wooroolin
Rob Fitz-Herbert, Kingaroy, and Noel Trace, Nanango
Lis Buzzo, from Kingaroy, with Kirstie Schumacher, from Stanwell CorporationWaiting on tables were Corissa Raines (Kingaroy State High School), Emily Trunks (St Mary’s Catholic College) and Lysander Saunders (Kingaroy TAFE)A pride of Wooroolin Lions was kept busy serving up drinks orders behind the barSarah Potter, from Kingaroy, with Cr Terry Fleischfresser and Kerry Heit, from WooroolinThe three captains, Nikki Hudson, Wally Lewis (centre, at back) and Ian Chappell (front) with representatives from South Bank Day Hospital and Lady Bjelke-Petersen Private HospitalTim Scales, from Brisbane; Mark Smith, Murgon; John Box, Kingaroy; and John Robinson, MurgonCr Kathy Duff, Cr Roz Frohloff and Cr Danita Potter shared a fun night out to support a worthy causeCr Gavin “Spud” Jones with his mother Margaret, from Yarraman, and wife Wendy, MaidenwellKingaroy’s Town Hall was packed to overflowing for the charity dinner and auction
2 Responses to "Guests Had A Ball With Three Captains"
Thanks Anne and Dafyd for a great article and pics – much appreciated. Hope you guys enjoyed the night too!
I noticed there was an Emslie and wondered if she was a relative. We lived in Kingaroy and Oakey in the late 1960s and Dad (Allan) was a Bank Johnny there. Trying to trace family history. Dad seems to remember the Rackemanns and McDermotts. Just any memories. Thanks for your time.
Thanks Anne and Dafyd for a great article and pics – much appreciated. Hope you guys enjoyed the night too!
I noticed there was an Emslie and wondered if she was a relative. We lived in Kingaroy and Oakey in the late 1960s and Dad (Allan) was a Bank Johnny there. Trying to trace family history. Dad seems to remember the Rackemanns and McDermotts. Just any memories. Thanks for your time.