Diners Had A Ball At Relay Dinner

Volunteer Amelia Izutsu, from Brisbane, with the beach volleyball signed by Commonwealth Games silver medallist Taliqua Clancy which raised $400 during the celebrity auction

July 30, 2018

The final figures are still being added up, but with about 300 tickets sold – plus successful auctions – the annual Dinner With The Captains for Relay For Life looks to have been another successful night for the organising team.

The guest captains this year were Commonwealth Games gold medallist swimmer Lisa Forrest, former Australian Rugby Union captain Mark Ella and retired Test cricket great Ian Healy.

They were interviewed on stage by former South Burnett Mayor and current CROW-FM Sunday announcer Wayne Kratzmann, a regular at the annual fundraising dinner.

Lisa Forrest shared her career highlights – and lowlights – plus the pressure that had been put on her as captain (at age 16!) at the controversial 1980 Moscow Olympics by the media, receiving death threats on the telephone, and how watching “Rocky III” (and listening to its theme, “Eye Of The Tiger”) changed her mindset ahead of the 1982 Brisbane Commonwealth Games where she won two gold medals.

Mark Ella spoke about his illustrious career – from Matraville State School, to playing for Randwick and Australia (and how he and his twin brother Glen tricked reporters in France!).

Ian Healy – one of Australia’s greatest ever wicket-keepers – could not escape questions about Australia’s recent ball-tampering scandal.

Healy, who grew up in Biloela, also recalled that he had been invited to attend the official opening of the Kingaroy Cricket Club 30 years ago, when he received the call-up to the Australian team, which prompted the following exchange on the phone:

“You’re in!”

“Yeah, I know, I’m going to Kingaroy.”

“No, you’re going to Pakistan …”

“!@#$%^&”

The annual dinner always packs out Kingaroy Town Hall, and Saturday’s night’s event was no exception.

The two-course meal was prepared by local chef Jimmy Stephen with assistance from Jason Ford and his team of hospitality students from Kingaroy TAFE.

Students from Kingaroy, Nanango and Murgon State high schools and St Mary’s Catholic College waited on tables and took drinks orders.

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South Burnett Relay For Life chairwoman Rowena Dionysius said 26 teams had entered the 2018 Relay so far, but she was hoping to finally have about 40 taking part.

“In a few weeks we will have half-price registration – so keep an eye on our Facebook page,” she said.

The aim was to raise more than $140,000 again, and at least $23,000 had already been banked.

The 2018 South Burnett Relay For Life will be held on October 13-14 at Kingaroy Showground.

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Live Auction Results

The live auction was conducted on stage by former Kingaroy auctioneer Dennis Cotter, who once again returned from Papua New Guinea especially for the night.

Two tickets to Day 3 Australia v Sri Lanka Test Match + lunch, drinks and accommodation – $650

Advertising package with CROW-FM – $2500

Relay For Life purple cricket balls – 8 x $200 each

Your Big Party at Kingaroy Hotel Motel with RiSA + finger food – $1050

Jeff Horn signed boxing gloves – $1200

Jeff Horn “The Hornet” signed T-shirt – $350

Beach volleyball, signed by Taliqua Clancy, Mariafe Artacho de Solar, Damien Schumann and Christopher McHugh – $400

Mini cricket set, signed by Ian Healy, Darren Lehmann, Brett Lee, Jason Gillespie, Glenn McGrath and Carl Rackemann – $900

Greg Norman signed and framed memorabilia – $500

Wally Lewis signed and framed memorabilia – $1100

Eight-seat box at Pat Rafter Arena for Brisbane International Tennis night session (Jan 1) – $1450

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Silent Auction Results

Framed photo with three captains – $226

10-seat open air box at Day 2 or Day 3 Australia v Sri Lanka Test Match -$1150

Four tickets to Broncos v Rabbitohs (Aug 16) – $500

Bottle of RAMU Rum signed by three captains – 2 x $276 each

1960 Rome Olympics poster, signed by Bill Roycroft – $300

Signed and framed photo of Stirling Moss – $330

Mobile kitchen bench (handmade by Barney Wyatt) – $300

Patchwork quilt (handmade by Megan Angel) – $150

Four tickets to Bon Jovi concert (Dec 6) – $650

As well as the two auctions, there was also a multi-draw raffle – with more than 4000 tickets sold – with the lucky tickets drawn out of the barrel on stage by 2018 Face Of Relay, Sue Cox, from Nanango.