The Hawkesbury Australian Football Club enjoyed a hugely successful Corporate Raceday at the Hawkesbury Race Club on Monday, June 13, raising a total of $32,000 toward building a new clubhouse on Bensons 3.
On the back of a huge effort from all involved, a crowd of 400 people packed into the Corporate Area for the day and enjoyed a fantastic day of entertainment and auctions, hosted magnificently by former Sydney, Collingwood, North Melbourne and Carlton player and AFL NSW-ACT official Craig Davis.
Sydney Swans premiership hero Nick Davis was an extremely popular guest speaker on the day, while Greater Western Sydney Giants' CEO Dale Holmes was also well received and supported the fundraising effort massively from his own pocket.
Auctions, raffles and silent auctions were extremely well supported, while the major fundraiser to unlock a bar fridge full of alcohol proved to be the great moneyspinner everyone thought it would be - congratulations to Diane Bayne on her win.
We would also like to thank Peter Chidgey of the Richmond Club for donating his prizes back to the club following his win in the opening heads and tails game, and the young lady who took out the second running for doing the same. The club made a significant amount from your generosity. Thankyou.
The club would like to sincerely thank the Richmond Club and the Hawkesbury Race Club for all their support, as well as all the sponsor who got behind the day to make it such a success, while we were also grateful for the support of AFL NSW-ACT and the GWS Giants.
A massive thanks also must go to all the volunteers who put in such a huge effort on the day, both inside and outside the corporate area.
It has been confirmed the club will again host the race day on next year's Queen's Birthday Monday.
Here is some of the feedback that has been received from the day.
Mike O'Grady wrote: Darren - please pass on to the committee on my behalf. Hawkesbury Saints Committee, I wish to congratulate you on the result of raising $32,000.00 for the clubhouse today. I know a lot of hard work and man hours went into putting on today's fundraiser and given the weather conditions this is a fantastic result.Put the feet up tonight - it's well deserved!
Kind Regards,
Mike O'Grady
Development Manager
Dale Holmes wrote: Guys, Thank you very much for having me along, I really appreciated the opportunity and congratulations on raising the $32k. Between some losing bets, raffle tickets, auction items etc. the day cost me about the same!Anything our club can do to help you guys grow your clubs and hence the code please let us know. We would love to have your players and their families become part of the GIANTS family as we seek to launch into season 2012. Thanks again and all the best for the rest of the season.
Kind Regards
Dale
Mike O Grady to AFL crew: Hi Crew, After you left today I briefly doubled back to get some feedback on how the Hawkesbury Saints viewed the day overall and the below remarks were made in regards to our presence. "Your guys are wonderful.
Great job by all the AFL staff, especially in weather like today's" - Darren Barlow, President Hawkesbury Saints
"All reports from the dad's inside the function room (who had children outside with us) were great. I heard some even had a kick themselves" - Steve Edwards, Vice-President Hawkesbury Saints
"I was very impressed with how the AFL assisted the day run smoothly" - Penny "Who's that? (referring to Jim Perrett) I've given him my business card. We want him to help outside of the club at my work." - Penny in reference to Jim's 2 hour successful dedication to collecting donations.
The club were so impressed with your efforts they have reserved a table (free of charge) for the AFL staff from today at their club's trivia night later this year to say thank you. Overall the Saints managed to raise $32,000.00 to go towards their new clubhouse and given the weather conditions today that's been viewed as a very successful fundraiser. Not only will the money raised be very useful for the club but the activities we put on today; the fan zone, exhibition Auskick game & the dad's kicking competition will go along way to getting some well earned publicity for the Saints and the Giants alike. I'm hoping that the local Hawkesbury newspapers will run the story & fingers crossed some of the photo's taken in front of the Fan zone make it to print. Once again crew thank you for giving up your Queen's Birthday public holiday both I and the club thoroughly appreciate your efforts today and I hope you enjoyed your day at the races despite the weather conditions. Great job!
Sincerely,
Mike O'Grady
Last Modified on 24/08/2011 14:50