Legendary AFL coach and player Kevin Sheedy will host A Salute to Bravery at Moama Bowling Club on June 28. Photo: AAP/Lukas Coch
Mathoura Football Netball Club will host a sportsman’s night with a difference this weekend.
Hold tight - we’re checking permissions before loading more content
Its ‘A Salute to Bravery’ event on Saturday will feature two high-profile speakers, and will be held at the Moama Bowling Club.
Doug Baird, the father of Australia’s 100th Victoria Cross recipient Cameron Baird, will share his son’s story.
Corporal Baird was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross for Australia in 2014 for ‘the most conspicuous acts of valour, devotion to duty and ultimate self-sacrifice’ after he was killed in action during a firefight in Uruzgan province, Afghanistan on June 22, 2013.
The night will be hosted by legendary AFL player and coach Kevin Sheedy, who will reflect on his more than 50 years in football and his own time in the defence force.
“(I am) Really looking forward to it,” Sheedy said.
“(Mathoura) gave me a ring and I thought it would be a good opportunity to really help their club.
“Anything to do with the defence forces I’m always really happy to listen to and particularly (Doug Baird).
“All of that is important in my lifetime, I was in the army and the engineers.
“I enjoy coming out whenever I can, particularly when you want to develop football clubs and netball clubs.”
Mr Sheedy had the idea for the traditional Anzac Day game between Essendon and Collingwood during his time at the Bombers.
Mathoura coach Adam Bourke, who joined the Cutters this year, played with Cpl Baird in his junior footballing days.
He helped connect Mathoura with the Baird family.
A talented footballer, Baird played one game in the VFL and nominated for the 1999 AFL draft but was not selected after suffering an injury in the lead-up.
He went on to serve in two stints in the defence force, first from 2000 to 2004, and again from 2006 until his passing in 2013.
Doug Baird will share his son Cameron’s story at the ‘A Salute to Bravery’ sportsman’s night. Photo: AAP/Lukas Coch.
Mathoura FNC president Blake Keech said the night will provide a different experience to other sportsman’s nights.
“We just wanted to give back to the community, and it’s something different,” he said.
“You can get a sportsman’s night, and you have your past AFL players or your past netballers come up.
“They don’t tell the same stories, but they’re all very similar, so it’s something to change that, and that’s when we came up with A Salute to Bravery.”
A percentage of proceeds from the night will go to the Zero79 Foundation, a charity to support former and current Australian commandos and their families.
The charity was originally ‘Cam’s Cause’, named in honour of Cpl Baird.
The event will also support the Mathoura Football Netball Club.
“We’re there to make sure these kids understand a little bit of the history of our country,” Sheedy said.
“The gallantry of our men and what sport can do in regards to teamwork and really making sure that everybody gets their attitude and their plan together.
“I've always had a plan in my life, and I like sharing that.
“I like to share my knowledge before I’m not here, and that’s the good thing about doing functions like this.
“You live a life of chasing knowledge, and before you disappear off the map, pass the knowledge on.”
This Saturday’s fundraiser begins at 7pm, with the ticket price including a two-course meal.
Interested attendees are encouraged to book their tickets as soon as possible at trybooking.com/DBBHSto assist organisers in calculating final numbers.
12°C