THE 2011 FUNDRAISING DINNER.

It's all over, but what a night that raised over
$45,000!


The fourth Donnica Clarke Foundation Annual Dinner was the best so far. 370 people, a maximum attendance, squeezed into the Mingara Auditorium to witness a fabulous surprise guest, dine on a sumptuous meal, and raise in excess of $45,000 much needed funds for the Foundation, and generally have a fabulous night!


The evening opened with another stirring welcome by Chairman Mark Holton, who had the large audience spellbound and showing their appreciation with thunderous applause!


He took the opportunity to thank all sponsors and supporters of the Foundation and announce that young Killarney Vale gymnast, Talia Eaton, had been selected as the third athlete to receive assistance by way of the new Frangipani Grants.


There was even louder applause when the evening's host, the remarkable Steve Allen, anounced the arrival of young up and coming local superstar Liam Burrows, who wowed the crowd with a magnificent performance following his successful debut in the TV show "Australia's Got Talent!"


This was followed by the main auction that raised much of the funds needed to continue the aims of the Foundation.


Entertainment for the night was given by local group Whooska who had the large crowd on their feet with wonderful music.


To view the NBN Television film of the event, click on the following link:


www.nbntv.com.au/index.php/2011/08/08/athletes-to-prosper-from-fourth-foundation-fundraiser/


 

 

 

 

  

  

   

  
    
   
   
   
   
   

 

 

 Chairman’s Ball Speech 2011

 It is with a great deal of pleasure that I welcome on behalf of the Donnica Clarke Foundation Board the many supporters, mums, dads, athletes, young people and corporate partners to the Annual Ball for 2011.
 
The Donnica Clarke Foundation was established in 2007 to keep the memory of the bubbly and multi-skilled teenager at the forefront of community minds. Donnica was a talented and vibrant dual Australian Surf Life Saving beach sprint and flags champion who passed away in a tragic cliff fall at North Avoca Beach, on the Central Coast of NSW, on April 10, 2007 aged 16.
 
The aim of the Donnica Clarke Foundation is to offer financial, moral and ‘in kind’ support to young athletes, male, and female, across all sports from the Central Coast region of New South Wales, Australia.
 
The Board are very grateful to the generous support of our Sponsors and Partners. This is critical to the continuity of the aims and objectives of the Foundation and the development of future sporting scholarships. In particular I would like to acknowledge:
 
 I would also like to advise and request your support for the upcoming "Save Our Club" Rally to be held at Mingara Recreation Club in this room on Saturday 13th August 2011 at 2pm. Organisations such as ours will be adversely effected (directly and indirectly) by the Federal Government's proposal to introduce the "Licence to Punt" legislation.
 
·         The Central Coast Academy of Sport. The Academy proudly awards the Donnica Clarke Scholarship to an outstanding athlete each year. Barefoot Water Skier Riley McKay proudly accepted the Donnica Clarke Scholarship this year.

A special thank you to dedicated volunteer Ray Sandell for his generosity of time and fantastic work with the website. Ray always provides his time free of charge and without any hesitation. Your contribution will never be underestimated and is sincerely appreciated Ray. As Founding Chairman of both organisations I am extremely proud of the close association between the Academy and the Foundation.
·         The Greater Building Society for the donation of a holiday package.
·         Rebecca Knowles from Blueberry Events for the amazing job again this year decorating the room.  
 
·         Tim Bolger from Video Plus for the audio visual presentations.
 
·         Luke Tucker from Blacktux for his work with the posters and invitations for tonight’s function.
 
·         Rod Amos for acting as the Auctioneer for the second year running.
 
·         Michelle Allen from Webstuff.biz for her ongoing support of the Foundation website
 
We look forward to a very successful future with the backing of our key alliances and supporters. All of the generous sponsors who donated this evening will be shown on the screen and are displayed in the brochures on your tables.
 
The Foundation this year agreed to allocate additional funds annually, in a discretionary fund, to be called the Frangipani Grants. These discretionary funds provide our Patrons, access to grant money to support athletes in extraordinary situations including hardship cases, excessive travel commitments, injury and illness cases, which may make it difficult to fully realise their sporting achievements.
 
It is anticipated that up to six (6) Grants will be provided annually of up to $500 each. The first two recipients this year were Daniel and Jacob Saifiti. The Grant provided funding to support travel costs to the Combined Catholic College Rugby League Championship in Perth.
 
I am also very pleased to announce tonight that the third Frangipani Grant was awarded to Tahlia Eaton. Tahlia an outstanding Acrobatic Gymnast from Killarney Vale has received the Frangipani Grant to assist with travel to competitions.
 
The Foundation sponsored 14 athletes earlier this year across 10 sports. That takes the total scholarships awarded over the past three years to 24 totalling $60,000 of funds provided to Central Coast athletes in 15 sports.
 
We have a number of athletes who are members of Australian teams and National Champions in their chosen sports. Many other are State representatives and champions. Foundation athletes have also attended World Championships and Commonwealth Games. We are very proud of each and every one of you and wish you great success in the future.
 
One of my favourite sporting quotes comes from a friend of mine who has my respect. He said recently:   - “You have to be prepared to work hard and train hard even if individually you are tired, sore, maybe carrying slight injuries. Too often I see players take the ‘easy out’ because they feel they are not 100%. This is not the character of an uncomprising athlete”.
 
 The Foundation athletes have given their best and demonstrated real character in the sporting endeavours. The eight scholarship holders in attendance tonight are:

Bridge, Keelan
Swimming/Surf Sports
Costelloe, Chloe
Tennis
Elliott, Tomas
Swimming
King, Rachelle
Swimming/Surf Sports
McIntyre, Robert
Wildwater Racing/Surf Sports
McKay, Riley
Barefoot Water Skiing
Nurthen, Amy
Surf Sports
Tysoe, Mitchell
Athletics

Of the remaining six athletes:
Matthew Dawson is paying Grade hockey however his Mum and Dad are representing him tonight on Mingara table
Mathew Graham is training at Perisher Valley
Sam McKeown-Patterson is working tonight
Lachlan Staples is racing in a swimming meet in New Zealand
Wade Eames and Alex Silcock are both otherwise committed
 
Thank you to each and every one for representing the Foundation in such an exemplary manner.
 
To my fellow Board Members: Deputy Chairman Ian Robilliard,  Secretary Gary Mensforth, Treasurer Linda Holton, Rebecca Knowles, John Howick, Steve Allen and Michael Beuttner thank you for your ongoing support, dedication to our mission and wise counsel. Your genuine concern for ongoing management and future direction of the Foundation is to be applauded.
 
Patrons Anthony (Clarkie) and Kerrie Clarke have again this year demonstrated significant drive, determination and direction under extremely difficult circumstances. Clarkie and Kerrie’s vision of the Donnica Clarke Foundation and committed drive to develop and enhance the future of this entity should be admired.
 
To all the Foundation volunteers, in particular our support team setting up yesterday, this morning and working tonight and cleaning up tomorrow morning, thank you for your outstanding commitment and generous provision of time. Believe me it is appreciated.
 
Moving forward our challenge as a Board is to maintain the fundraising momentum generated over the past years and this evening.  
 
Late NFL Coach Vince Lombardi once said “We would accomplish many more things if we did not think of them as impossible”

The Donnica Clarke Foundation needs you to help us make what may seem impossible a reality. We need you to continue to be our voice to spread the word of our aims and ambitions – to support young emerging athletes from the Central Coast of NSW. We trust that everyone in this room tonight will take it upon themselves to help us again, as we move forward, on this challenging yet inspiring task.
 
Let me make one thing perfectly clear as a Board we again commit that donated funds will be applied to support the sporting youth of the Central Coast Region. We will continually seek to find deserving athletes and support them to reach their sporting goals. Make no mistake this is our mission.
 
In closing I would like to thank you all, a record 370 supportive and generous people in attendance tonight, for your continued support and congratulate everyone who like me, feel very privileged to be involved with the Donnica Clarke Foundation.
 
Have a great evening!
 
Mark Holton - Chairman
Donnica Clarke Foundation