This weekend was a great one for the Epic Good Foundation as we kicked off National Reconciliation Week with a busy schedule of activities.
On Friday night a great crowd came together in Brisbane for a fundraiser for the Indigenous Literacy Foundation. EGF Manager Anita Heiss and ILF founder Suzy Wilson had worked tirelessly to put together an event that not only raised a significant amount of money but also provided a great opportunity to come together and celebrate in a way that truly embodied the spirit of reconciliation.
Stuart and I were thrilled to welcome Mayor Wayne Butcher and Principal Siobhan Jackson from Lockhart River to Brisbane for the weekend, as outlined here that trip had initiated the events that led to the formation of our partnership with the Hawthorn Indigenous Program.
The night was a great success with conversation buzzing all evening and a whole host of new connections formed, which no doubt will lead to even more collaborations in the future. We were delighted to be able to present Suzy with a cheque that ensured that all of the monies raised through the auctions and raffle (nearly $25 000!) could go directly to fund the fantastic work that ILF does, and Sam loved the chance to sign his very first big cheque!
The following day saw Hawthorn play Brisbane at the Gabba for the first time in 8 years, and a big crowd turned out to see the reigning premiers take on the home town team.
Another special guest who had also been part of that trip to Lockhart River back in 2014 joined us on Saturday – Lois Peeler, Principal of Worawa Girls College and relative of Pastor Sir Doug Nicholls, a wonderful Australian in whose name the AFL Indigenous Round matches were being played.
The AFL produced this short video about Pastor Sir Doug Nicholls and I would encourage you all to watch it here and learn more about this truly extraordinary man.
Before the game kicked off Anita had guests at the Chairmans Circle lunch in stitches as she revealed what some of the research for her Sex in the City-style book based in Brisbane had uncovered, Monday nights at The Gap Tavern may see an uplift in attendance numbers as a result!
The game was an absolute cracker, with the young Lions team really making the Hawks earn their victory in a hard fought game that wasn’t reflected by the final scoreboard.
It was only fitting that at the end of the game Stuart was able to introduce Wayne to his favorite player Cyril Rioli, and close the loop on the connection that had initiated so many things.
To top things off, we woke up to the news that this years Giles Foster Scholarship recipient had delivered a cracking performance of 102 runs and 4 for 30, rounding out what was truly an Epic Good weekend.
