Pink Ribbon Charity Golf Day organisers cheers to their biggest fundraising figure yet with Jane McGrath nurse Vicki Rutten (centre). Photo: Supplied.
More than $17,000 has been raised for cancer care in a record-breaking year that has left organisers of the Weipa Pink Ribbon Charity Golf Day “tickled pink”.
More than a week after the Carpentaria Golf Club was cleared of golfers in imaginative pink garb, donations are still pouring in for the McGrath Foundation to add to the nine-hole, four-person Ambrose charity event on 18 October.
Last year’s event raised more than $10,500 with 80 players on the greens. This year, an increased capacity to 96 players, a “gung-ho” committee, and a $5000 grant from Rio Tinto boosted the figure towards double that of 2024.
“It’s really heartwarming – to nearly go up $7000 is an incredible feat,” co-organiser Melanie Turner said.
“In the last two years we’ve raised over $21,000. This one [2025] is the biggest we’ve raised in my time organising it over the last five years.”
She said this year’s event was made extra special by the visit of Jane McGrath nurse Vicki Rutten, whose speech provided a first-hand experience of the cause golfers were supporting.
“She got to jump in a buggy and go around and see all the teams and take photos. It was fantastic,” Ms Turner said.
“We had a waiting list of people and we got all the people in that wanted to get in. So many said they didn’t realise this was so amazing and they’re coming back next year. It has really ramped up.
“It was just decorated pink everywhere; we had people setting up from six in the morning, others putting up tarps the night before lending a hand – it was a real community effort and spirit.”
