Queensland Annual Lunch Recap by David Shillington

This year’s Queensland Annual Lunch was our biggest to date with over 900 guests attending. We achieved our highest financial return since its inception and this lunch couldn’t have been such a success without the generosity of our supporters. From Newstead Brewing Co, to Tradelink, to the businesses who bought tables and the guests who bid on auction items and purchased raffle tickets, we say a massive thank you!

The guests were spoiled with comedy on the day between MC Vince Sorrenti and comedian Greg Ritchie. The theme of the day was ‘Rugby League Disrupted!The untold stories of the Super League war’. The panel provided some fascinating stories and insight into what was an explosive few years for the game of rugby league. Former Super League CEO John Ribot explained how he managed to spend $400 million when he was only given a budget of $68 million to run the competition. Ben Elias, Trevor Gillmeister, and Chris Johns recalled the many intriguing twists and turns and how it unfolded and what effect it had on the game and its fans. It was a divisive period where loyalty was tested against financial gain and some friendships that were lost were never regained.

Lucky auction bidders walked away with some unique prizes. A ‘’Big 4’’ Queensland State of Origin jersey signed by the recently retired Maroons legends Johnathan Thurston, Cooper Cronk, Cameron Smith, and Billy Slater was very popular. The chance to spar with Jeff Horn and be trained by his personal trainer drew strong bidding, and a new wardrobe of clothes from Scotch and Soda finished off the major prizes.

One lucky man, who won the raffle, left the day with a five-night holiday to the exclusive qualia resort valued at $9,750!

To top off the day, we heard the inspirational story of one of our wellbeing recipients, young Harry Bowes, and how The Foundation supported him both financially and emotionally as he bravely battled leukaemia.

The valuable funds raised from this day will go towards supporting the men, women, and children of the rugby league community who are doing it tough. This year, already, The Foundation has supported the community with more financial assistance then we did in the whole of last year and days like this make that possible. Your generous support is what makes this foundation great. Thanks again for your support, and I hope you can join us next year!

By Men of League Foundation Queensland State Manager David Shillington