On Friday, 21st July, Central Queensland residents donned their most beautiful dresses and suits to attend the biennial RACQ CapRescue Ball, presented by QMAG.
Entering onto the fields at Brown Park, the guests were treated to the AgustaWestland 139 (AW139) helicopter on site, with the crew to chat with and a moment for twilight photos before heading upstairs.
Once seated, the evening opened with a video outlaying the year that was for RACQ CapRescue. A reflection on the many rescues throughout our region performed by our lifesaving service.
Delicious food and drinks were, of course, enjoyed. However, there were many other highlights of the evening.
Special guests included CEO Mark Fewtrell, who outlined the organisation’s achievements and goals and the importance of events such as the biennial ball.
The stage was stolen, however, by past patient Kev Mauger who told his story of how his life was saved by RACQ CapRescue. He spoke of horrific injuries and a long recovery, but his eternal appreciation of the service that gave him the possibility of a future.
Kev performed a touching tribute to the crew, a song he had written that told the story of a day that changed him forever and thanked his “Sky Angels”.
The night continued, and the excitement of the raffle balloons overtook the crowd! Selling out in under 15 minutes, most attendees got their hands on the much sought-after items. Even for those that didn’t win a prize, there were smiling faces throughout.
All that was left was for The Short Fall to fill the dancefloor, and as usual, they didn’t disappoint!
With a grand total of over $50,000 raised from the evening, the guests and staff were flying high from an enjoyable evening and fantastic result that will help us to continue saving lives.
A night such as this cannot happen without the support of our amazing sponsors – Naming Rights Partner, QMAG; Gold Sponsors, Jemena and Babcock Australia & New Zealand; Silver Sponsor, Hastings Deering; Bronze Sponsors, Vector Health & Performance and Kestrel Coal Resources; and our Table Sponsors, Blackwoods, Elite Imaging Group, Hutchinson Builders, Quest Apartments, BMA Blackwater, and Rockhampton Mazda.
Special thanks are extended to RACQ, Rockhampton Leagues Club, Stage and Audio Rockhampton, Stylish Events and Hire, our Rescue 300 members who attended, the businesses who donated raffle prizes, our StepUp CapRescue volunteers, Jun from Cherry and Jun Photography, and our guest speakers for their support of the event.
Thank you to also the businesses who donated prizes to our raffle including Aether Rockhampton, GKI Hideaway, Rockhampton Helicopters, ETS Compound, Chris Warren Homes, Vector Health & Performance, Ramsay Health, Country Allure, Thomo’s Betta Home Living, Wavelengths Yeppoon, Katie Lauren Hair Couture, The Two Professors, Johnson’s 4WD Repair Shop, TMR Massage, Capricorn Caves, The Neaton Family, Yeppoon Golf Club, East St Barber Shop, Hastings Deering, the Gracemere Hotel, Capricorn Food & Wine Festival, Park Avenue Hotel, Galactic Donuts Rockhampton, Red Lion Hotel, Riverston Tea Rooms, CocoBrew Rockhampton, Mark Bunt Menswear, Serenity on East, Rockhampton Beauty Clinic, Keppel Bay Sailing Club, Va Voom & Co, Allenstown Square Meats, Blueleaf Cafe, and Michel’s Patisserie.
View the photos from the night here