What could be more iconic than spending Australia Day 2016 out on the Great Barrier Reef, visiting iconic locations? That’s what’s planned this year by the Far North Queensland Hospital Foundation for their jetski fundraising event, the Trinity Powersports Sea-Fari, powered by ZincFM.
Foundation fundraising and marketing manager Glenys Duncombe said the event this year had undergone a major overhaul with a fresh new approach but still with funds raised going towards local cancer services.
“We’ve got a fresh route, a fresh way for participants to have fun, and new sponsors this year with Trinity Powersports and ZincFM approaching us to be involved,” Ms Duncombe said. “And what could be a better way to spend Australia Day than on our iconic Great Barrier Reef,” she said.
The event previously has been very successful, and money has been raised to undertake the tranquillity room at Cairns Hospital. Planning for the room was delayed due to the Cairns Hospital redevelopment, but is now underway.
Well known mountain bike trail developer Glen Jacobs is part of the planning team, saying he was the first jetski owner in the Far North, back in 1979 and the first person to run a jetski out to Green Island. “I went out on it last year and loved it, but I’m really excited about this one,” Mr Jacobs said. “I have a number of friends undergoing cancer treatment at the moment.”
Sponsor Troy Duncan of Trinity Powersports said he loves that the event is like-minded people doing like-minded things. “It’s a real buzz, and it’s just about having fun, but also raising money for local cancer services,” Mr Duncan said.
Queensland Police Service water police Senior Constable Carl Bishop said he hopes to have a QPS jetski as part of the event and he would volunteer his support. “This event is really good to promote water safety in the local community and the police are proud to be involved,” he said.
The event started in 2011, partly instigated by lung cancer patient Brian “Unit” Wilson. Sadly Unit died two years later but his memory lives on through the event, and his mother travels up each year from Victoria to be involved.
Statistics indicate that by the time we all reach the age of 85, half of us will have had a cancer diagnosis. (Australian Institute of Health and Wellness, 2012). In the Far North with a population of about 270, 000 – that is 135, 000 – or every second person you see on the street.
The Trinity Powersports Sea-Fari is a jetski powered island hop through the Great Barrier Reef’s iconic northern waters between Yorkeys Knob and Port Douglas.
Registration is $75 per rider, with an additional minimum fundraising element of $200 each. Those who don’t own a personal watercraft can buy a ticket in the $16, 907 Seadoo art union, with tickets for sale at the city’s shopping centres or online at www.seafari.org.au.
PHOTO: Senior Constable Carl Bishop, Glen Jacobs, Glenys Duncombe and Troy Duncan.
For further information visit www.seafari.org.au.
