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15 September 2021
Ball raises $300,000 for Cooroy support centre EVEN in uncertain times, we give. Locals have dug deep for an invaluable domestic and family violence service. BY ALEX PURCELL
AT the inaugural Mingle with the Mayor Ball, last month, around $300,000 was raised for the charity, SunnyKids, which provides emergency accommodation as well as domestic violence and referral counselling at their Cooroy Family Support Centre. SunnyKids General Manager, Kathleen Hope, told the Cooroy Rag never in their wildest dreams did they expect this amount of money to be raised. “It is completely overwhelming. The outcome is beyond anyone’s expectations. It’s fabulous.” Ms Hope said they would have been grateful for any amount. “We were hoping for $60,000 to $70,000 to extend our hours at the Cooroy Family Support Centre. We are currently open three days a week and have to fundraise to fill the gaps to make this happen but there are still two days where the centre is not open. “Our plan was to hopefully raise enough money to extend our hours to five full days but this amount of money has far surpassed that, which is incredible.” Ms Hope said the money will be used to extend the Cooroy Centre’s hours, plus provide outreach days for other areas on the Coast. “On the night, at the Ball, I was doing the sums and with this money, we can provide two full years of full-time five days a week support at Cooroy and two
outreach days in Noosa. “We don’t currently have a walk-in option at this end of the Coast and the increased Cooroy days plus the two outreach days will enable us to reach an additional 300330 individuals and families over the next two years. “The need for support in this area is huge and we are at capacity. But now, this money just changes everything. We can employ two full-time counsellors for support with this workload.” Patron of the Mingle with the Mayor Ball, Noosa Mayor Clare Stewart, said the shire is at its best when it gets behind its own. “The community support and business support for the ball was overwhelming, to say the least. It is absolutely apparent that Noosa cares so much about its own, that we want to right a wrong and make a difference, however great or small. “At the ball, we spoke up and the community stood up. I have never been prouder.” For the 150 guests at Sofitel Noosa Pacific Resort on August 28 for the Ball, it was a night of glamour, excitement and tears. Dressed to the nines, Ball attendees were awed by the appearance of special guests Australian mining magnate and heiress, Gina Rinehart, and former Olympian, Dawn Fraser. During the live auctions, hosted by Cooroy auctioneer Richard Hansen from
Photo courtesy of Empire Art Photography
Hinter Auctions, Ms Rineheart went head-to-head with another guest in a bidding war for a GhostAir flight to Makepeace Island for four guests followed by drinks and dinner. After winning the auction with a bid of $50,000, it was revealed that Ms Rineheart had purchased the experience for Ms Fraser’s grandson for his upcoming 18th birthday. Guests were also enter-
tained by former The Voice contestant Luke Kennedy, moved to tears by stories from survivors Alex Harris and Annie Jones, and educated about the services provided by two charities, SunnyKids and no more fake smiles. MC Kay McGrath and Ms Hope discussed how disrupting a period of crisis as early as possible, gives survivors the best possible chance of success.
Ball organiser, WomenKind Inc Chair Josanne Falla, said the event was the beginning of a new future for the women and families in need of help here in Noosa. “One hundred and fifty people gathered to put a stop to the status quo in Noosa, where there is no permanent place of refuge for those fleeing domestic and family violence situations, nor even a counsel-
ling service east of Cooroy. “We have partnered with SunnyKids, which has a long history of delivering exceptional service in this field across the Sunshine Coast, and we are determined that permanent, positive change starts today.” Ms Falla said the Ball Organising Committee and Cr Stewart are extremely grateful for the sponsorship and financial support from local businesses.
Cooroy Rag, 15 September 2021 - Page
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