Rotary is once again hosting a corporate golf day to raise funds for life-saving research into Cystic Fibrosis - plus the added attraction of an unusual evening cocktail experience on Busselton Jetty.
The golf game will be held at the Busselton Golf Club on Friday, March 19, after last year's event was cancelled because of Covid 19. T
his will be the fourth time the event has been organised by the Rotary Club of Busselton Geographe Bay. The club's previous three golf days have raised a total of $18,500 for Cystic Fibrosis research.
The golf game is an Ambrose event for teams of four, with a shotgun start at 10am. Entry is $200 per team, which covers a light on-course lunch. There will be prizes for longest drive, nearest the pin and the three top-scoring teams.
This year for the first time the event will be followed by evening cocktails with a difference - and you do not have to be a golfer to attend.
Guests will ride the train to the end of the jetty where, under a large marquee, they will be served a welcome drink and finger food, take part in a silent charity auction and be entertained with live music and both daylight and after dark tours of the underwater observatory.
Tickets for Cocktails, Furs Finery will be $80 per person, which covers the return train trip, a welcome drink, food and observatory tours and participation in the silent auction, with a variety of goods generously donated by local businesses on offer.
Additional drinks will be available for purchase.
Rotary Club President Chris White said funds raised from both events will be donated to Conquer Cystic Fibrosis South West, a local group of volunteers who are part of a State-wide effort to boost funding research for the disease.
"Conquer Cystic Fibrosis is dedicated to improving, extending and saving the lives of the more than 3,400 Australians with Cystic Fibrosis and 70,000 world-wide," she said.
"Cystic Fibrosis is a dreadful, debilitating disease which, sadly, has no cure. Our club is pleased to be able to support an organisation that is fighting to change that."
Busselton resident and Conquer Cystic Fibrosis ambassador Jackie Fraser will be the face of the event this year. She has battled the disease for 29 years and underwent a bilateral lung transplant in November.
"The only two reasons I am alive today is because of medical research and a generous organ donor," she said.
"Events like this bring our community together and will help fund further research to extend lives and make the future brighter for children with this disease.
"I want there to be less suffering and a longer life expectancy granted to children with CF and those yet to be born. As a 100 per cent volunteer-run organisation, with no salary or administration costs, we are able to channel every cent of the money raised to life-saving research.
"The primary beneficiaries for Conquer Cystic Fibrosis are the Institute for Respiratory Health in WA, the Telethon Kids Institute and the Australian Cystic Fibrosis Research Trust.
"Some research projects funded by this charity have resulted in new treatments being used by patients today, so we are making a difference.
"Without the generous support of organisations such as Rotary, these advances would not be possible and it's comforting to know we have support like this behind us."
Ms White said the golf day had developed in a few short years to become one of Rotary's biggest fundraising events.
"We are grateful for major sponsorship support from Barrett Sons and the Professionals. We are always on the lookout for new corporate sponsors, so if your business would like to be involved, please contact us," she said.
Golfers can obtain entry forms via the Busselton Golf Club website busseltongolfclub.com.au and pay by EFT or on the day. Tickets for the dinner auction can be purchased via TryBooking.
For more information about both events, including sponsorship inquiries, contact Rotary's Community Director Ross Johnston on 0409 883 986 or email ross@sanros.com.au.