What a beautiful day it turned out to be for the Margaret River Hockey Club's (MRHC) annual Scarred For Life Memorial Hockey Match and Club Open Day!
Not a cloud in the clear blue sky! And what a fantastic turn out it was from members and friends of the MRHC.
We started off at 10am with coffee and cakes followed by a guided discussion about mental health by Mike Dyson from Good Blokes Co.
By 1pm we were into the sausage sizzle and Colin 'Foxy' Fox's brisket which was just so amazingly delicious many went back for more.
Foxy and Dan Stocker were both instrumental with their time and efforts towards the success of the day.
It was an experience in connection and kindness and recognition of those passed.
- Louise Mann, MRHC Vice President
The Memorial Match was played to honour the lives of Ken Howes, Wes Battese and Stuart "Scar" Campbell with club statesman Wally Zalewski as the umpire.
It was a fierce but jovial game in the searing heat won by The Breakers and sponsored by Cowaramup Pharmacy.
The precursor to the game was a circle of remembrance where poems were recited in memory of those we were honouring.
It was an experience in connection and kindness and recognition of those passed.
Jeremy and Claire from the Cowaramup Brewing Company generously provided a keg to help with the fundraising and there were wines and softies flowing as well, while the free bouncy castle for the kids was going non stop all day.
Raffle prizes were donated by Yahava Koffeeworks, Colin Fox, Little Monsters Busselton, Outdoor Adventures, Priceline Margaret River, Quobba Finns and Sportspower Margaret River.
One hundred percent of funds raised on the day will go towards mental health initiatives in the club.
We sponsor one junior player to attend the Zero2Hero Camp and two senior male club members to attend a Good Blokes Retreat. Both initiatives focus on positive mental health care.
Little Hallie Storey picked up the Simon Orchard-signed hockey stick for being Best on Ground in the Memorial Match.
By the end of the day, everyone helped pack up and we went home tired but happy to have enjoyed a soul-feeding day of friendship, connection, and commemoration.
We'll do it all again next year.
A total of $3,000 was raised on the day, and this will be spent on sending players to the abovementioned very worthwhile mental health programs.
Our hearts are full.
Thank you for your support all those who came along.
