Fraser Coast Mates Golf Day | Gallery
Hundreds of mates have got together in pink to honour one of their own at the seventh annual Fraser Coast Mates Golf Day. Check out all the photos here:
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Hundreds of mates have got together in pink to honour one of their own at the seventh annual Fraser Coast Mates Golf Day.
Golfers in 57 teams took to Hervey Bay Golf Course on Friday, June 23 to play for the Geoff Redpath Memorial Trophy.
Fraser Coast Mates president said the group expected to raise about $15,000 on the day alone to help build awareness about men’s mental health issues, bridge the gap between support services and give mates the tools to help their friends and colleagues when they may be struggling.
Geoff Redpath’s wife Kim, and sons Zac 17 and Lucas 15, were at the event and Kim, who came up with the initial idea of the golf day, said they were overwhelmed with the turnout, seven years to the day that she lost her husband to suicide.
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“It started with a conversation between mates about holding a golf day to mark the anniversary of Geoff’s passing,” Kim said.
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“The branding Fraser Coast Mates was born before that first golf day seven years ago and to see how it has evolved down the years is amazing and it’s fantastic to see the support we have for it now.”
For the second year the Flourish Garden luncheon was run alongside the golf day in a marquee at the golf course, with Kim saying it was important that women also knew the importance of men’s mental health issues.
“It’s about broadening our message to include women as well,” Kim Redpath said.
“They play a big supporting role. Women wear a lot of hats and we just wanted it to be a day where they can celebrate other women and their role in men’s mental health too.”
Kim said the golf day on the anniversary of Geoff’s passing was difficult for his mum and brother plus her two sons.
But she said it was important to show them they were not on their own and there was support from the whole community for people who have gone through the same as her family.
“My boys have been at the golf day for all of the seven years,” she said.
“It’s been hard for them and the rest of Geoff’s family.
“The support we have received on days like this gives me the strength to know that we can help others who are going through what we have been through.
“It’s so special to be able to give back.
“Our message is there is support there, there is help, but you have to take that first step and ask.
“Days such as these is about saying we are not in this by ourselves. The whole community is willing to help if you just ask.”