Day On Whitsunday Green Does A ‘Hole’ Lot Of Good

L-R Jon Miller, Anne Smith, Morrie Kite, Kate Cross, Geraldine Carvell, Robert Lodders, Gaye Penny, Allan Gravelle, Sue Gravelle, Greg Smith, Nicola Young and Sian Walker.

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After five years and a total of $57,000 raised for local causes, the Whitsunday Lions Charity Golf Day proves a day on the green can do a ‘hole’ lot of good.  

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Run by Whitsunday Green and the Whitsunday Lions Club and born from a shared goal of giving back to the community, the annual event has grown from a fledgling fundraiser in 2022, to a significant source of support for organisations including the Proserpine Hospital Auxiliary, Whitsunday Suicide Prevention Network and Whitsunday Crisis and Counselling Service.  

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This year’s event attracted 130 golfers across 33 teams, supported by 20-plus sponsors and 21 volunteers.  

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On Friday, that collective effort resulted in a $12,000 donation to Proserpine Hospital through the District Auxiliary, with $11,500 from the Golf Day and $500 from Whitsunday Lions.  

Proserpine District Auxiliary Member, Sian Walker, said the money would fund specialised ‘Tweegy’ wheelchairs, for use across all hospital departments.  

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“The Tweegy wheelchairs are more ergonomically friendly and can be stacked together, which is a bonus in our very limited hospital space,” she explained.  

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Along with an existing Tweegy wheelchair, Ms Walker said previous years’ funds had helped buy a digital patient transfer scale, ‘Dial a Dizzy Vesticam’, recliner chair-beds, patient-room murals, and maternity department sound-proofing.

“Without donations the Proserpine District Auxiliary cannot support the Proserpine Hospital with equipment and improvements like these – Whitsunday Lions and Whitsunday Green have donated to the Hospital for many years and their generosity is invaluable,” she said.  

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Whitsunday Green Club and Community Manager, Kate Cross, said Proserpine Hospital was chosen as a major recipient because of its importance to the community, and the committee’s passion for supporting patients and staff.

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“Knowing that the money raised here on the golf course stays in our community and is used this way is the reason we partnered with Lions and what makes it so rewarding,” she said.  

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Lions Club Member, Allan Gravelle, said this was a tangible example of community fundraising translating into patient care, showing what was possible when Lions and Whitsunday Green combined their strengths.  

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“Whitsunday Green is a standout collaborator because they bring technical and golfing expertise while going above and beyond to keep it fun,” he said.  

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“For us as Lions, we help wherever, whenever, and however we can – we’re the daft people who turn up on dark winter mornings to run things like markets and think, ‘what am I doing here?’, but the payback comes on a day like this when you get to give a large cheque to someone who really needs it.”  

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Ms Cross thanked everyone involved in the 2026 event, noting it was full of highlights, and that thanks to exciting developments ahead, next year’s competition would be played over 18 holes, with “twice as many teams and twice as much fun”.  

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“Whitsunday Green is growing, and with our 283-ha Cannon Valley site being developed as a master-planned residential community, community connection is very much at the heart of what will be built,” she said.  

“Days like these are about getting together with mates, supporting the local community and enjoying everything that makes living in the Whitsundays so special.  

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“We are always open to working with charity groups and with $57,000 raised since 2022, and Whitsunday Green preparing for its next chapter, events like the Lions Charity Golf Day will continue for as long as there is need.”  

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For more information or to enquire about sponsorship opportunities for 2027, visit www.whitsundaygreen.com.au or follow the Whitsunday Green and Whitsunday Lions Facebook accounts.  

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