For the past 10 years, Elders South Gippsland annual charity golf day has been raising money to support to those battling illness within the community.
Around 150 players are expected to tee off at this year’s event at the Leongatha Golf Club on Friday 5 July, in an effort to raise funds for local community members facing illness. A lunch, auction and raffle will also take place, with the whole day raising funds for Ronald McDonald House and local South Gippsland families in need.
Elders Korumburra branch manager Rohan McRae explained that this will be the tenth year that Korumburra and Leongatha branches have been running the annual golf event, which has raised in excess of $200,000 since 2014.
“The event originally began when family members of our staff were directly affected by cancer,” Rohan said.
“We are so proud to see how it has evolved to extend its support to local community members affected by illness, or meaningful charities like the McGrath Foundation or Ronald McDonald House.
“Unfortunately, when it comes to the type of illness affecting our communities, nine times out of ten it is some form of cancer.”
Although the event now supports community members beyond staff working in Elders branches, there are still cases where funds directly benefit staff and their families need.
"It was only a couple of years ago when Tracey Gollop, Sales Support Officer at Elders Korumburra and the event’s main organiser, experienced firsthand the need for support when her younger son was diagnosed with cancer,” Rohan said.
“The funds raised that year were able to directly aid Tracey and her family as they made trips to Melbourne for their son to receive treatment.”
Grateful for the support she and her family have received, Tracey detailed other ways in which the raised funds have benefitted local families.
“A few years ago, a local family tragically lost one of two sons involved in a car crash. We were able to support them during that difficult time by funding the rehabilitation of their surviving son."
Rohan acknowledges that the event would not be possible without the support of volunteers, and the surrounding community, who are extremely generous with both their time and donations.
“It never ceases to amaze us the level of support we receive from everyone in our industry, from abattoirs, feedlots, farmers, Elders’ branches and other agencies in our industry,” he said.
“The whole community whole-heartedly gets behind the event, donating money and prizes towards an auction and raffle.”
The golf day has become a highly anticipated event each year and Tracey explained how it has grown in popularity over the years.
“We typically see past players and teams attend the event each year and already have a waiting list going for this year,” she said.
Although they are not looking for more players this year, Tracy says there are still other ways in which people can get involved.
“We are still accepting donations and are encouraging those in a position to support to call up the Korumburra branch to find out more,” she said.
Meet the team:
