Community spirit raises more than $60,000 for Noah's Ark Centre
1 Nov 11
Growing up, my parents instilled in me a strong sense of community and I was indeed fortunate to be part of a strong Italian community.
Today I find myself part of a different community although clearly one with a social conscience.
It never ceases to amaze me how generous people are with their skills, knowledge, money and time and particularly the people of Kangaroo Valley and surrounds.
The Noah’s Challenge event took place on Saturday October 15.....by all accounts it was a huge success raising in excess of $64,000 net of expenses at last tally and a fun day had by all.
To run the Noah’s Challenge event, we were fortunate to have a talented and dedicated committee to bring the concept of an adventure race to reality.
In addition we had a wonderful group of volunteers, in particular, the Navy (816 squadron) who provided the majority of volunteers.
It was no easy feat and at times a struggle for those on the committee to manage working for a living and volunteering their time and expertise.
We managed it and I am proud to say that we did it with a collaborative and consultative team approach.
Each member of the committee contributed and each member had a role to play.
Roles entailed many hours of designing the course, planning, marketing, writing submissions and operation manuals, creating a logo and web site, attending to risk and compliance /license requirements and lobbying council.
The hard work was about creating a blue print for future events.
As a committee we are really serious, firstly about making Noah’s Challenge a significant event on the Shoalhaven Events Calender, and secondly, in the future, building a much needed new premises for Noah’s special children.
Quite a few residents were among the 150 participants and some were winners.
Zoe Binder (Ambassador) and her mother, Meaghan won the “Non-Corporate Female” category, while Sam Brinson and Campbell Harvey came 2nd in the “Non-Corporate Youth Team” category and two Glengarry boys, Hugh Adamson and Ned Taylor came 3rd in the same category.
The Scots College, Glengarry also took out the fastest squad, that being the fastest time for five teams of two. Well done boys!!!
Photos from the event and results have been uploaded on our website.
Photos can be downloaded free of charge by right clicking and then saving to your computer. If you wish a high resolution photo please contact Norris Ingrisch on 0432 414 629 or contact him on norrisingrisch@westnet.com.au.
Having now completed the 2011 Noah’s Challenge we will shortly commence preparation for the next event.
We have learnt a great deal but it is important for us to receive feedback from all parties in order to make improvements, and do better next time around.
We invite our sponsors, volunteers and participants to forward any comments regarding this year’s event and proposals for next year’s event.
This can be done via contacting Victoria Levey or me. Contact details can be found on our website www.noahschallenge.com.au
I would like to thank my team members, Sandra Knight, Sharon Morris and Sandra Robertson.
Thanks for your patience and waiting for me on the course.....I promise to be fitter next year!!!
I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the following people, without whom this event would not have happened:-
Committee members – Victoria & Jeff Levey, Karen Harrison, Bob Morris, Christian & Bronwyn Petersen, Liz Aitken, Belinda Watson, David Brinson, Peter Still, Di McNamee and Norris Ingrisch.
Sponsors and supporters –
The Hon. Shelley Hancock, MP (Patron)
Jackie O (Ambassador)
Zoe Binder (Ambassador)
Ray White, South Coast
Raytheon Australia
AHA, NSW, South Coast Hotels
McDonalds South Coast
Murphy’s Funerals
2ST Shoalhaven, Adam Straney
ABC Illawarra, Nick Rheinberger
Aboriginal Land Council
Bunnings Warehouse, Nowra
Bermagui Constructions Pty Limited
Bakehouse Delight – East Nowra
Bakers Delight – Stockland Mall
Bannisters
Berry Rotary Club
Bombaderry Bowling Club
Chris Treuen
Coca-Cola Amatil
Coffee Fix, South Nowra
Coles, Nowra
Elite Energy, Ally Strand
Essential Films, Michael Pignataro
EyeCare Plus Optometrists, Nowra
FLYBOX, Advertising Marketing & Design, Norris Ingrisch
Folking Mad - Sound & P.A. Hire, Rick Saur
FRF Sports
GHD Australia
Harcourts, Kangaroo Valley
Harris Farm Markets
HMAS Albatross, 816 squadron
IGA Berry
IGA Nowra
Jardine Lloyd Thompson Australia Pty Limited
Jump on it - A living social company
Kangaroo Valley Adventure Company
Kangaroo Valley Arts Festival
Kangaroo Valley Lions Club, Lorraine Mairinger
Kangaroo Valley Primary School
Kangaroo Valley Produce Company, David Cochrane
Kangaroo Valley Scouts
Kangaroo Valley Voice, Carl Leddy
Lastover Accommodation, Victoria & Jeff Levey
McGees Cycles, Bowral
Milton Ulla Apex Club
National Parks & Wildlife Service
Nestle, Robert de Vere
Nowra Vello Club
Officeworks, Nowra
Olympus Sports, Neutral Bay
Outdoors & Beyond
Outer Edge, the ultimate adventure magazine
Paul Sutton, Electrician
Phantom Cycles, Tahmoor
PORT Restaurant, Parramatta, Sam Issa
Robert Glendenning, Traffic Management Consultant
Ruthy Hudson, Entertainer
Ryders Creek Retreat, Robert Morgan & Liz Aitken
Shoal-Bites Cafe
Shoalhaven City Council
Shoalhaven Heads Hotel, Col Waller
Shoalhaven Water
Skye Dog Productions, Liz Aitken
South Coast Dairy
South Coast Register
Southern Highland Wines
Spin Monkey T-Shirts
Sports Power. Nowra
State Forest, NSW (Southern Region)
The Athletes Foot, Nowra
The Bike Shack, Nowra
The Scots College, Glengarry
The Man From Kangaroo Valley Trail Rides
Top Cut Meats Pty Limited, Robert Borazio
University of Wollongong, Shoalhaven Campus
West Street Oval Management Committee
Wilderness First Aid Consultants, Christian and Bronwyn Petersen
Yarrawa Estate, Mark and Sue Forster
Special thanks also go to:
Ann Dorreen, Carol Swan, Gail Harvey
Gary Thomas, Howard Scare, Ian and Sue Boyle Justine O’Reilly, Kathy and Simon Harrington, Kerry Patterson, Mal Dunn, Michael Glendinning, Mike Hinton, Pam Flynn, Peter McNamee, Sandra Knight, Sharon Morris, Anne Dynon, Nell Britton, Bernadette Pullen
Arrivederci...... until next year!
Vittoria Borazio