After an eleven year drought at the annual Sgt. Matthew Locke MG Charity Match, the mighty Magpies made sure the trophy stayed at home with a convincing 32:10 victory over the Army Thunder on Saturday.
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Led by co-captains Louis Taylor, Johnny Skinnon and Daneil Donovan the Magpies were in top form with Damion Dumas in particular taking control of the game at every opportunity ... and winning the 'man of the match' accolade.
As always this annual event had heaps of highlights, not least the presence of the Governor General, His Excellency, the Honourable David Hurley AC DSC (Retd) and Mrs Linda Hurley.
In other matches Combined Airforce beat Army Womens League 42:30, Sawtell were stronger against Bellingen in the League Tag winning by two points, 14/12 and in the ADF Men's League, Airforce beat Navy 8:4.
Organiser Debbie Locke said the number of supporters was solid as always (around the 800 plus mark) and she was so impressed by how many had come from afar.
"There were groups from Newcastle, Tweed Heads, Tamworth, Inverell, our Perth regulars, Brisbane, Canberra ... it is fantastic for us and such as compliment to the event," Debbie said.
"The presence of his Excellency and Mrs Hurley was also wonderful. This was the ninth time for them - his Excellency said Bellingen held a special place in his heart and he had been keeping tabs on this summer's extreme weather events locally as they unfolded."
She said winning was "absolutely the cream on the cake after nine losses and one draw".
"It was amazing - town was buzzing on Saturday night."
While the tally of funds raised has not yet been finalised, Debbie said they were aiming for $25,000 and she thought they would be pretty close.
Funds will go to Soldier On (local branch), Tyringham RFS Brigade (who were on the front line of the Bees Nest fire) and The Grub Club (where aid work continues with children and adults in East Timor).
And what about the future?
"I was talking to one woman from the ADF and asking if she thought after 12 years the event was still relevant and sustainable. She said to me: "We never forget".
"That really resonated with me, they were wonderful words to hear and made me think, OK, I can keep doing this ... it was really heartwarming."
Also making the news:
Ute Schulenberg
Journalism was always my plan but plans being what they are, I did not get to realise it until my early 40s ... and have loved every minute since. For me community journalism is the most intimate and honest place to be in this field - telling the stories of people I live with, side-by-side, every day. It is an honour.
Journalism was always my plan but plans being what they are, I did not get to realise it until my early 40s ... and have loved every minute since. For me community journalism is the most intimate and honest place to be in this field - telling the stories of people I live with, side-by-side, every day. It is an honour.
