ON April 16, the Pindimar/Tea Gardens and North Arm Cove Rural Fire Brigades are conducting the RFS Sheargold Charity Golf Day hosted by the Hawks Nest Golf Club, raising much needed funds for essential brigade equipment.

“The funds raised will assist with equipment and projects not supplied by the RFS,” said Brigade Captain David Bright.

“As brigades, we are supplied with vehicles, PPE and some essential equipment.

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“Any further requirements we need to fundraise for, currently we are in need of 14 new radios, which is a costly exercise.

“Because we have three large vehicles housed at Tea Gardens Station we need to straighten the concrete apron to avoid possible injury or damage to vehicles or station, that’s an expense of $7,000.

“As unpaid volunteers, many having enjoyed a long life, the extra equipment that we have been able to purchase through fundraising assists greatly in our quest to protect our community and surrounding areas.

“The Charity Golf Day is a fantastic vehicle for doing that,” said Mr Bright.

Some of the funds will be used for the erection of a flagpole at Pindimar Station in memory of Brigade Life Member Peter Economos who recently passed away.

The Golf Day will be a Four Person Ambrose with shotgun start, except the shotgun will be replaced with fire sirens commencing the competition at 8.30am.

Mr Bright said, “Sponsorship for the event is still being finalised, but to date we have had a fantastic response from local and out of area sponsors, but there is still plenty of room for more sponsors.

Plans are in place to make the Charity Golf Day an annual event.

“At the height of the fire at the beginning of last year the Hawks Nest Golf Club decided to assist the local brigades.

“They organised, over a very short period of time, a Charity Golf Day, and managed to raise some really important funds, which were split between Pindimar/Tea Gardens and North Arm Cove Brigades.

“At the time, speaking with the Golf Club it was decided to make it an annual event.

“Then Covid hit and everything ground to a stop, now that the restrictions have been eased we are able to get the plan happening.”

The major sponsor for the day is Sheargold.

And how do the local Rural Fire Brigade members go on the golf course?

“Hackers at best,” said Deputy Captain Noel Quince.

By Doug CONNOR