The C4EM organisation has combined its resources with Rich River Golf Club and Echuca Regional Health, planning to surpass the $87,000 fund raising tally from this year’s event.
Eighteen celebrities will play alongside teams sponsored by Echuca regional businesses for the event, which is pencilled in for Wednesday, February 23.
Dunstall is again expected to attract plenty of attention, his media star continuing to shine in his role with Fox Sports.
Moama Bowling Club paid $3000 for the honour to have him play alongside its three member team at the event in February this year.
He was the only celebrity to demand the premium price, but all 18 celebrities will again be offered up for sale.
Teams can either pay the corporate rate of $1800 and be allocated a random celebrity for the 18 hole ambrose golf event a team event where all players shoot — from the best location of the previous shot.
Dunstall is a four time AFL premiership player, who kicked 1254 goals in 269 games —third all time behind Tony Lockett, 1360, and Gordon Coventry, 1299.
Dunstall, born in Queensland, was a seven time All-Australian, three time Coleman medallist (leading VFL goalkicker) and 12 time leading goalkicker for Hawthorn.
There is a distinct Hawthorn flavour to the event, with C4EM chief executive officer Deanne Armstrong having a friendship with another Hawks legend, Gary Buckenara.
Buckenara is a key player in co-ordinating Hawthorn’s previous champions for the event and has also secured the services of another of the game’s greatest goalkickers in Peter Hudson, and his son, Paul.
West Australian Buckenara was selected in the Hawthorn Team of the Century and twice captained his state against Victoria.
Buckenara and Dunstall are among 19 members of the Rosebud Golf Club at Rich River this weekend for a three-day golfing trip.
Among the visitors will be champion centre half back Chris Mew, who plays off a handicap of one.
Buckenara and Dunstall remain close friends and Ms Armstrong said it was not difficult to get them back to Rich River Golf Club.
“They love the place, enjoy the facilities and use it as a getaway,” she said.
Alongside Dunstall and Buckenara are Australian cricket legend Merv Hughes and two-time world champion triathlete Emma Carney.
Hughes played 53 tests and took 212 wickets at Test level, retiring in 1994.
Legendary Hawthorn hardman and arguably the best known VFL/AFL boundary rider of all time Robert Dipierdemico, Carlton premiership player Mark McClure and another Channel Seven boundary rider from the past, Russell Morris, will also be part of the event
“A majority of our celebrities from last year have said they are available,” Ms Armstrong said.
“It’s a shotgun start, each of the teams will start on a different hole.
“The entry cost includes tickets to the dinner and auction, as well as the round of golf with a celebrity.”
Apart from the entertainment value of a round of golf with one of the country’s greatest sportspeople, the event provides an invaluable networking opportunity for businesses.
“This year the proceeds will go the ERH cancer and wellness centre,” she said.
“It’s a cause we decided to support as a committee. We will have ERH ambassador Brad Williams speaking at the dinner about his cancer journey.”
All proceeds from last year’s event went to fund this year’s marketing campaign for Echuca and Moama, through Echuca Moama Tourism.
The dinner and auction will be open to the public, with $87,000 raised last year.
That figure includes a $50,000 commitment from Moama Bowling Club, in the form of funds from its Kia Cerato car raffle (due to be drawn on Monday, December 13).
The cost of the the two-course dinner, and entertainment from the celebrity guest speakers, is $100 a ticket.
There will also be an auction of items.
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