WTC Group charity golf day raises $90,000

It was a massive day on the green for WTC Group’s inaugural charity golf day, with an estimated $90,000 in proceeds raised (and still climbing), in the name of mental health.

Blue skies and a sea of blue Trademutt signature-printed golf shirts couldn’t have been more of a sight to behold at the Narrabri Golfie, as 188 golfers, 47 teams with four sporting celebrities in tow, took to the 18-hole course, for a great cause.

The social-impact workwear brand worn by tradies was the inspiration for the event, and founder Ed Ross came for the day and made a speech to the players on the impact that the funds will make to their TIACS (This Is A Conversation Starter) free counselling service.

WTC Group managing director Will Childs, the man behind the vision, is still in disbelief about the success of the day, and the huge first for Narrabri.

“I’m just so grateful and overwhelmed at the support of it,” said Mr Childs.

“All the messages on Facebook, the handshakes on the day, the phone calls, and not just the punters, but the people at the grocery store on Sunday who stopped me to say how great it was.”

“The vibe was just perfect, we had live music pumping all day, and everyone was well-behaved and having the best time.”

Mr Childs was even stunned to receive a free taxi ride home after his driver commended the effort.

The beaut of a day started on a top note as former great NRL player Darrell Brohman brought in a fetching $3700 at the Calcutta auction.

He was also joined by NRL player David Gillespie and NRLW stars, Hannah Southwell and Tamika Upton.

“The stars had a great time, and said that they got a really welcoming feeling,” said Mr Childs.

“They were amazed that the community was so giving in a small town like Narrabri, with all the donations and buying auction items.”

Among the top items auctioned for the day was a 1.8t John Deere excavator, donated by RDO Equipment which went for $50,000, plus a sought-after golfing holiday to Port Stephens and a WTC Civil earthworks package, and someone even dished out $880 for a golf cart.

CHARITY GOLF DAY SUCCESS: Pictured at Saturday’s WTC Group charity golf day, from left, Newcastle Knights players Hannah Southwell and Tamika Upton, former Australian rugby league player and coach Darryl Brohman, former Australian rugby league player David Gillespie, WTC Group managing director Will Childs and TradeMutt’s Ed Ross.

Mr Childs brought his own 4-seater Trademutt-wrapped golf cart out as the official “heckling cart” for the day, to keep everyone’s competitive spirits high.

Most of the golfers and 24 sponsors were local businesses, as well as major sponsors; Regional Finance, and teams from Gunnedah, Brisbane, and Dubbo made up of a good mix of older and younger generations.

At this present time, more incoming donations and figures are being calculated, but the tentative $90,000 of proceeds raised will go towards Trademutt’s TIACS (This Is A Conversation Starter) mental health initiative.

TIACS provides free mental health support through its telehealth and counselling services for blue-collar workers across Australia.

Funds will also go to Boundless Psychology in Narrabri, where anyone can go and receive psychology sessions in person and over the phone.

“The biggest thing is, that the golf day has started a conversation, which is what all our initiatives are about,” said Mr Childs.

“So many people came up to me and said that there’s always a stigma around mental health but all generations on the golf course are here talking about it.

“The money is going to a great cause that anyone can reach out to.

“It’s local and accessible and it’s there and ready for use.”

Mr Childs has already started planning for next year and reckons a two-day mini festival could even be on the cards to make the most of having visiting players and share more of the love with local businesses.

“There are so many people behind the scenes that I’d like to thank for their support, even our staff who came and volunteered their time to help out,” said Mr Childs.

“Thanks to the greater community who came out and supported the event, we’re so grateful.”

More information on the final figure raised from the day will be coming to WTC’s social media near the end of the week.