By JOYCE MARSH (WOODENBONG CORRESPONDENT)
ONCE again the weather was magnificent, as was the turn out to support the 15th annual fire brigade fund-raiser held at the Woodenbong and District Golf Club – raising more than $3000.
This event did not disappoint the patrons with a fantastic arrangement of monster raffle prizes, Calcutta, as well as great trophies on offer for the 70 golfers who played in the three person Ambrose nine hole event which included a contingent of Kyogle regulars by bus.
The 2014 winners were: Beryl Harris, Travis Musicka and Jonathon Hannant with a Nett: 21. They were proud winners of the most sought after Perpetual Trophy, made and donated by Mavis and the late Garry Elliott and a 30 metre hose and reel donated by Terry and Dianne Clements.
The Calcutta is conducted with the skill and wit of local businessman Paul McKey.
Paul had the ability to whip the crowd into a bidding frenzy to attain a winning horse for the coveted Melbourne Cup.
This section of the day has a huge input to overall funds raised. Generous support from Woodenbong district businesses and locals and also from Urbenville, Killarney and Kyogle ensured a huge amount of raffle items.
“The members of the Fire Brigade are a great bunch of people and always work well together whether it is at an incident, at training or at the fund-raiser,” Woodenbong Rural Fire Brigade captain Greg Gulliver said.
He, along with members were proud to showcase the new Category 9 Land Cruiser Strike Unit which was supplied this year to the brigade by the NSW Rural Fire Service.
“This new vehicle has more power than the last unit and gives us better response capabilities in our mountainous terrain,” Greg said.
After thanking patrons, sponsors and all who had helped in any capacity to ensure the day was a huge success, Captain Greg Gulliver made mention of member Ken “Pappy” McLennan, the first Captain elected in 1960.
Still an active member after 54 years, he is usually nearby to make sure the equipment is operational and ready to go.
The $3000 plus funds raised from the giant raffle, Calcutta, donations and golf day will be used to complete footpaths around the Woodenbong training centre, which was built and funded by the brigade and the community and may include fire ground radios, camel water packs, an esky, leaf blower used to clear fire breaks and other items required throughout the year, items not normally supplied by the Rural Fire Service.
Congratulations on a fine effort, this vital service staffed by volunteers is a prime example of a community working together at its best.
