Community
15 January, 2025
Former AFL star, TDHS unite for charity
TIMBOON hosted a fundraising effort which has raised more than $7000 for Cancer Council, with a little help from a former AFL superstar who beat cancer – twice.
On Sunday, January 5, Timboon and District Health Service (TDHS) and Timboon Golf Club hosted the Longest Day Golf Challenge.
The Longest Day is an endurance golf marathon, with those involved completing 72 holes of golf from dawn to dusk in a bid to raise funds for Cancer Council’s research, prevention, and support services.
The day saw seven teams of four players came together for a pre-hit-off briefing and dispersed themselves along the course, with tee-off at first light around 6am.
Among the players was former AFL superstar Ben Cunnington, a Cobden product who went on to play in 238 games with North Melbourne.
TDHS health promotion officer Christie Berry, who organised the event, said the opportunity to have Mr Cunnington tee off was made all the more special as he is a cancer survivor.
“Ben is a former AFL superstar and cancer survivor, but more importantly, Ben is a humble ambassador for the Cancer Council and doing his bit by enduring the 72-hole golf marathon to raise much needed money for Cancer Council,” she said.
“A few months before the event, I rang Ben and asked if he would like to be a part of this day as Ben loves his golf and is an ambassador for the Cancer Council, and he was a yes straight away - without hesitation.
“Ben has suffered from cancer twice during his time as an elite AFL football player, and thanks to advances in treatment, Ben has overcome the odds.
“So this is his way of giving back to the Cancer Council - without the research they do, the treatment would not be what it is today and lives are being saved every day.
“It was heart-warming to see the passion of the players wanting to complete such a rugged task and have the endurance to make it through the 72 holes to imagine what it is like to walk in the footsteps of a cancer sufferer for even one day.”
The soaring temperature on the day proved challenging for the teams, but all rallied together to play some spectacular golf for a great cause.
Most players walked the course and covered up to a whopping 40 kilometres each over the course of the day.
Teams on the day included:
Tori Ziegelaar, Jack Rowe, Rhys Ziegellar, Cody Noonan;
Ben Cunnington, Gary Castledine, Finn Castledine, Brendan Hickey;
Neil Gowland, Wes Hollick, Steve Plozza, Geoff Norton;
Darren Smith, Chris Huffadine, Hamish Huffadine, Peter Cashmore;
Judy Delaney, Judy Walsh, Shaun Mckenzie, Col Elselum;
Luke Smith, Jamie Norton, Steven Crees, Craig Saunders; and
Ben Saunders, Darcy Hewitt, Joseph Peck, Nicholas Waugh.
Overall winner on the day was Neil Gowland, 1st 18 holes Chris Huffadine on 42 points, 2nd 18 holes Tori Ziegelaar 42 points, 3rd 18 holes Joseph Peck 43 points, 4th 18 holes Ben Cunnington 42 points. 5th Nearest the Pin Darren Smith, 7th Nearest the Pin Nicholas Waugh, 10th Nearest the Pin Steven Crees, 14th Nearest the Pin Hamish Huffadine.
The Timboon Team behind the fundraiser have so far raised over $7000 to donate to the Cancer Council.
There is still time to donate to this cause, which TDHS are “proud to support.”
To donate visit https://www.longestday.org.au/st/8250/4080 or google The Longest Day, click on Donate and find “Timboon Team”.
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