|
SPIRIT
OF GENEROSITY Children with cancer will continue to benefit from the generosity of those involved with Bailey’s Day, after the fifth annual golf day, luncheon and charity auction raised around $100,000 on Tuesday, December 9. It takes the total raised since the inception of Bailey’s Day to about $600,000. The money will go to Monash Medical Centre’s Children’s Cancer Centre, to fund clinical oncology fellowships, as well as to the Royal Children’s Hospital for brain tumor research. About 270 people attended the lunch at Southern Golf Club, after 132 brave souls had battled through the inclement weather to take part in the morning’s golf tournament. Under the Canadian Foursomes format, Martin Wallace and Phil Scott emerged triumphant with a score of 62.625, to win from Jeff Crozier and Cameron McLeish, on 64.375. The players then joined the rest of the diners for a beautifully catered lunch and to bid for the many and varied items generously donated for the main and silent auctions. Auctioneer Mark Sawicki was once again in fine form, even managing to auction off not one, not two, but three dates with his son Josh.
Other highlights of the auction included a mystery $15,000 bid for the ‘Legends of Rock’ guitar, signed by all the Australian music legends who participated in the ‘Legends of Rock’ concert tour, including the late Billy Thorpe, and Glenn Shorrock, who donated his time to provide the entertainment during lunch. The spirit of generosity was alive and well, with most items selling well above their market value. The main auction raised more than $80,000, with another $20,000 coming from the silent auction. The success of Bailey’s Day is an ongoing testament to the generosity of those who take part and a fitting tribute to the hard work of Dr Peter Downie and his clinical fellows Ruchira Misra and Pratiti Bando. Four years ago Dr Downie was the Monash Medical Centre’s children’s cancer department – and a part-time one at that. Thanks to Bailey’s Day the Children’s Cancer Centre now has a staff of 21 and has trained seven oncology fellows. Never let anyone tell you you can’t make a difference.
THANKS BOYS! No two people have embraced the meaning and spirit of Bailey's Day more enthusiastically than Keith Corr and Mark Sawicki. Mark generously donates his time and considerable personality to conduct the auction each year, while Keith's support and generosity have been immense. One year Keith paid $4,000 for a weekend for 10 people on a houseboat, which he immediately donated back to Monash to be used by weary parents of patients. Without the support of these two wonderful men, Bailey's Day would not be the success that it is. They and others who have done so much for the cause were recently honoured by Monash Medical Centre with certificates recognising their contributions. We're lucky to have them. And we're lucky to have you. Thanks to your continued support, sick children now receive better care from more qualified people than ever before. And all the while, those dedicated researchers work towards a cure. All this is only possible because of the way Bailey's Day has been embraced and supported. It's a great day, one that has become incredibly important to so many people.
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
CLICK HERE TO HEAR PATRICK TESSIER'S RESPONSE TO THE CHASER 'SKIT' ON 3AW RADIO
|
|
©
BAILEY'S DAY 2006 |