Our Golf Day

The Annual Mater Dei Charity Golf Day was held on Monday 15 March at the Macquarie Links International Golf Club. As Mater Dei students, parents, carers, staff and Camden Police reps had great fun manning the on-course BBQ, drinks carts and betting hole for the players - golfers and guests were then treated to an entertaining talk given by Police rep Deb Wallace, who together with MC, auctioneer and long time Mater Dei friend Steve Edge inspired the 150 present to give generously. The event raised $60,000.

Winners of the day were the teams from C91.3 (1^st), Outdoor Furniture Specialist (2^nd) and E.H. Brett (3^rd).The Guessing Competition Hole had two winners, Adrian Sawyer and Jude Hennessy. Special thanks to sponsors of the this hole, Macarthur Automotive, who were good sports and made two holidays to the Hunter Valley available! Peter Crittenden won the "Putt Off" and scored a plasma television donated by Blackrock Media. The Speed Hole was won by Mathew Smith who clocked 281km and pocketed a great golf bag.

A major highlight of the event was when the Hole In One prize for a car to the value of $25,000 was won. The winner, who would like to remain anonymous, was not aware when he was teeing off on the notoriously difficult 11^th hole that there was a prize of a car to be won if he got a hole in one. When the supervisors from Camden Police excitedly informed him that he had won a car, he says that he was "in shock!" News of his win travelled fast around the course and everyone was genuinely delighted that the seemingly unattainable Hole In One had been achieved and that the prize had been won. It certainly put everyone in a good mood for the post game lunch. A special thanks to Harvey World Travel for sponsoring both our Hole in One prize holes.

As in previous years, Mater Dei was very fortunate to have the support of the leading Macarthur motor dealers as major sponsors - Clintons Motor Group, Paul Wakeling Motor Group and Macarthur Automotive - and also the Campbelltown Catholic Club. Corporate Express Project Group was welcomed as first time major sponsors to the event.

We were also joined by a number of Mater Dei parents who generously gave up their day to support this important event and we extend our thanks to Di Beers, Flora Fitzpatrick, Alison Kutle, Tanya Leadbeatter, Mary Mackinnon and Vicki Veneran.

Student representatives included Ryan Stibbard, Stephanie Scuito, Joseph Marando, Kate Feeyney, Alicia Brylewski and Angela Saba who with Jenine Purdy, Vida Carmody and Anne Lauder (from our Leadership Team) together with Sr Jeanie Heininger did a wonderful job acting as ambassadors for Mater Dei.

New CEO/Principal of Mater Dei, Tony Fizgerald, said "These programs provide our students with opportunities, skills and abilities to be part of their local communities - thus reinforcing the underpinning philosophy for everything that we do at Mater Dei - inclusion for all into the wider community. Our Golf Days have always been a great day for building community whilst raising much needed funds for Mater Dei. Simply put, we cannot afford to offer many of the services and facilities that we do to our children and students without the proceeds from the Golf Day."

Tony acknowledged the importance of having loyal sponsors, a great golf course and a dedicated committee for the event saying how grateful he was to this year's committee - Steve Beattie (Clintons), Paul Wakeling, Michael Lavorato (Campbelltown Catholic Club), Peter O'Brien (Macarthur Automotive) and Camden Police (the patrons) represented by Neil Williamson. "Our vision is a world of inclusion for all. We thank all our supporters for sharing this vision with us" said Tony.

The Mater Dei Golf Day has raised over $940,000 over seventeen years. Monies raised have helped fund and support therapy programs, specialised computer equipment, a wheel-chair ramp and an outdoor sensory primary playground. The proceeds from this Golf Day will go primarily towards supporting the Inclusive Schooling, Community Access and Work Placement Programs that are offered to the students of Mater Dei.

We hope you enjoy these photos ….

Debbie Gates
Manager, Development Program