Bairnsdale City Oval turned blue and white for a cause last Saturday as the Bairnsdale Football Netball Club – Fight MND fundraiser topped $100,000 for the second consecutive year.
The club held the day as part of their Gippsland League round nine fixture against arch rival Sale, hoping to again raise around the $100,000 mark for the FightMND cause, with all money raised going to fund vital research to help find a cure for Motor Neurone Disease (MND).
FightMND is Australia’s largest contributor to MND research to find effective treatment and ultimately a cure for MND.
Bairnsdale Football Netball Club president, Michael Mann, was overwhelmed and gobsmacked with what his club and fellow East Gippslanders have been able to achieve.
“We have again raised over $100,000 – an extraordinary effort of generosity from the East Gippsland community, but we shouldn’t be surprised as they always rally for a good cause,” Mr Mann said.
With the Omeo and District Football Netball League and East Gippsland Football Netball League having a week off courtesy of the King’s Birthday long weekend, a large crowd flocked to the venue to participate in the party-like atmosphere which included food trucks and music.
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“It was great to see so many people in attendance, as we showcased East Gippsland sport and all got together for a great cause. Thanks must go to the Sale Football Netball Club and FightMND for their assistance, and the power of work done by Vicki Waddell who led the local charge,” Mr Mann said.
The football and netball were popular as players battled hard in less than ideal conditions, but pre-game it was all about the sliders, the brave souls who had been working hard raising money and ultimately made the cold plunge into a freezing bath of ice.
Bairnsdale Football Netball Club MND ambassadors, Phil Camden and Tahnee Orchard where on hand with MND fundraising director Lynne Kearney to supervise and thank the sliders for their efforts.
Camden has become a constant on this day, his after-match speech in the clubrooms bringing grown men to tears as he spoke of his battles with the beast over the past 10 years.
Camden was given only 27 months to live in 2013, diagnosed around the same time as the great Neale Daniher, the inspirational former AFL player and coach who leads the charge to find a cure for this cruel disease which takes the life of two Australians a day, with another two diagnosed to take their place.
Camden thanked the crowd for their attendance, support and hope.
“A cure will become available because of the generosity of people like you,” Camden told the crowd.
Camden was represented in the slide by his proud son-in-law, Kaiden Moore, who was attired in a plethora of MND merchandise.
Leading the procession down the slide was the crew from Ace Radio’s Balls n All program, the foursome led by Daryl Couling dressed as the Jamaican bobsleigh team, which got the crowd up and about as for the first time in the event’s history four sliders entered the water at the same time.
The next slider was Gary Kennedy dressed as Mr Yeti, who amassed the most money, raising an extraordinary $19,645.96.
Sale Football Netball Club was represented by president Simon Turnbull and netballer Abi Allman.
Turnbull presented as a boxer in respect of club coach, Jack Johnstone, who took part in a boxing bout in the pre-season, while Allman channelled Carlton champion Chris Judd.
Sesame Street characters were popular with master of ceremonies Chris Cook appropriately wearing a Cookie Monster suit and club canteen manager, Kelli King, opting for a Big Bird outfit.
Steve Butler was colourful and entertaining as Fred Flintstone, as was Wy Yung Football Netball Club president Craig Radford who made his way into the iced water as Dumbo.
Scott Dullard lost plenty of his costume when he hit the water, Alan from The Hangover becoming almost unrecognisable.
Most sliders used the conventional sleigh to taxi into the freezing abyss, but not Lindenow Football Netball Club representative, Sarah Strini, who used a miniature tractor as transport.
Bill Beggs from Four n Twenty hit the ice on his own pool ‘pie’.
Superheroes were also the order of the day, with Bairnsdale Advertiser sports reporter Damien Donohue looking resplendent as Clarke Kent/Superman and Tim Whelan donning the Batman cape for charity.
Metung identity Graeme Byran was a mirror image for Richmond premiership hero Dustin Martin, while Bryan Froud looked the part as his favourite player, Melbourne’s Max Gawn.
Lucknow Football Netball Club coach Erica Lynch swooped into the water as a magpie, while Lindneow South Football Netball Club’s Shannon Edwards looked a dead ringer for Bluey’s mum Chilli.
The most popular slider was local barista Brian Box, suitably attired as Mr Bean, making plenty of noise and quite the splash.
The last word was left to Kearney, who told the after match function, “Everyone that gives will be part of the solution when we find it. Together we can beat the beast that is MND”.
