THE strong Victorian ex-patriate community in Port Douglas is hoping to emulate the success of that state’s Good Friday Appeal.
Port Douglas AFL president Chris Bradsworth said the league had come up with the initiative of supporting the Mossman Hospital Friends of the Foundation, similar to the Good Friday Footy in Victoria.
“The idea originated from two years of thinking and talking about what happens in Victoria, and we want to support our local community,” Mr Bradsworth said. “In Victoria, where Good Friday AFL Football is prominent, the Royal Children’s Hospital Appeal raises millions of dollars, so we thought we would donate a percentage of our gate takings to our local hospital,” he said.
“We think the whole Far North Community will come forward to support this and we see it becoming an annual event supporting the Mossman Hospital.”
Spectators will also get to witness the unfurling of two premiership flags from last season, being both the Seniors and Reserves football sides, which will once again be brought to the grounds by sponsors GBR Helicopters, and also escorted by S & S Trike & Harley Tours.
Mossman Hospital Director of Nursing Peter Le Griffon said the Mossman Hospital Friends of the Foundation were extremely excited about the initiative. “We are part of this community and we know it is extremely supportive of what we’re doing, so we’re very excited about this opportunity to further support our community,” Mr Le Griffon said.
“We know our community is passionate about Health Service and we’d love to see some locals join our Community Advisory Network and the Mossman and Douglas Friends of the Foundation Committee,” he said. The hospital has a long history in the community – with the original hospital built in Port Douglas in 1878. The service was relocated to Mossman in 1930.
One particular focus of the hospital is its aged care provision, as well as emergency care for locals and visitors alike.
*The game will be at the Port Douglas Sporting Complex on Good Friday, March 30 from midday. The Port Douglas Crocs will play the South Cairns Cutters. The seconds hit the ground at 12noon with seniors at 2pm. A local musician, Shannon, will be live from the club at 7pm.
