Golf Day Trio Retires With Record Result

This year’s Liquor Industry Charity Golf Day not only achieved a record result, it marked a significant milestone for three long-term organisers of the event.

Rob Gillies (25 years as Chairman), Robbi Timms (21 years as Coordinator) Phil Hallett Treasurer (20 years as Treasurer) have served a combined 66 years and have retired as part of a staged succession plan.

During their tenure, the Golf Day donated approximately $3.1 million to over 30 different children’s charities.

“The history of the Golf Day, is significant,” said Rob.

“It goes back to the days of industry legends, five or six of them, particularly Kerry Moore and Peter Vaughton, and after serving on the committee, I took over in 2000 as chairperson from John Murphy.

“We anticipated that our income would be down this year because of just the general economy, but we had a record year. The net result, still to be finalised, is going to exceed $105,000.”

The new Chairman is retired hotelier Evan Katsaros, club member David Lipman is Treasurer and Illona Tan comes in as the Events Coordinator.

“Looking back, and speaking on behalf of Robbi and Phil, I can say our roles have given us all great personal satisfaction,” said Rob.

“It is very rewarding to be able to give away anywhere between $80,000 to $110,000 each year to charity.”

He said exceptional on-going sponsorship has been provided by major partners in BankSA and Grange Golf Club, as well as key corporates including Thomas Foods Australia, West End/Lion Beverages, Coopers Brewery, CocaCola Europacific Partners, CUB/ Asahi Beverages and many other allied liquor industry providers.

“Without them, we would be able to donate maybe $50,000, not $105,000 as we did this year,” said Rob.

Many Children’s charities have received funds to assist their vital services – from providing funds for accommodation costs at children’s camps for Camp Quality, Childhood Cancer SA to fund clown doctors at the Women’s and Children’s hospital, or even Life Education programs such as drug, alcohol and cyber-safety providing learning devices to educate children to ensure their choices in life are the right ones.

Charities helped this year:

• Back Pack For Kids

• Camp Quality SA

• Can Do Group

• Childhood Cancer Assoc

• Cystic Fibrosis SA

• Epilepsy Foundation

• Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Int

• Leukaemia Foundation

• Childhood Dementia c/- Mark Soderstrom

• Novita

• Operation Flinders

• Sammy D Foundation

• Starlight Foundation

• United Way SA

• Variety SA

• Vine Inn Charity Golf Day

• Women & Children's Hospital Foundation

Katherine and Scott with Crowne Plaza GM, Faisal Sayed.

The 2026 date will be set once LIV Golf date is announced.