General News
26 June, 2024
Barefoot tournament gives back
Dimboola Ski Club has handed over a $8000 cheque to the Rural Outreach Program raised from the charity and goods auction at the Peter Taylor Memorial Barefoot Waterski Tournament in February.
The Rural Outreach Program is a mental health service targeted to help those living on farms and in rural communities.
The Health and Wellbeing Hub in Edenhope is one of the many health services that offers the program.
Primary health coordinator Jo Grant said this donation would help a range of services the program offered.
"It will help with the one-on-ones the program provides and help reduce the stigma around mental health," she said.
"This just shows the community of Dimboola and how supportive they have been when businesses found out what causes they would be raising money for."
Rural Outreach worker Mal Coutts said it was very humbling to collect the cheque from the club.
"It's amazing what a small group can do to generate such a generous donation," he said.
"Mental health touches everyone at some point and this donation keeps us going.
"They're a really strong band of people passionate about mental health."
Mr Coutts said the donation would help with training for the general public.
A further $4906 was donated to Wimmera Against Cancer in Kids.
Sponsors of the event were invited to a presentation on Sunday afternoon where the Dimboola Ski Club members were able to show their appreciation and recognise their efforts with a framed certificate.
Dimboola Ski Club president Darren Bone said without generous help from sponsors, the event wouldn't have been possible.
"It's recognising what they do in the community," Mr Bone said.
"It's a big event and requires lots of people to help out."
Hindmarsh Shire Council mayor Brett Ireland, CEO Monica Revell, Cr Debra Nelson and Cr Wendy Bywaters also attended the presentation and were thanked for their contribution to the tournament.
The tournament attracted about 3000 people with competitors from around the country taking part.
Mr Bone said the barefoot tournament was likely the biggest in the world.
"Barefoot tournaments don't generate that amount of people," he said.
"Even the skiiers have said they love being involved in it."
Mr Bone expressed his heartfelt thanks to those who had helped out during the tournament, including club members, volunteers and sponsors.