RQYS Mainsheet 2021

CFCManly

FEATURE

COCKTAILS FOR A CAUSE MANLY CFCManly’21 a roaring success In a foretaste of the Squadron’s capability to host large-scale social events ashore in 2022, almost 1,000 guests spread out across the expanse of the main lawn on a balmy November evening to raise an astonishing $75,000 for a local Bayside youth and family service.

What began as a pre-Christmas lunch between friends four years ago has grown into an iconic calendar event with an engaged community sharing a vision – to celebrate friendships and community with a purpose. CFCManly co-founder and RQYS member Tracey Lucock is one of the original four Bayside small business owners behind the concept which this year was a full-scale demonstration of the Squadron’s COVID-Safe event planning. The unanimously-decided 2021 beneficiary was BABI Youth & Family Service at Wynnum and, despite pandemic planning apprehensions, Tracey said the volunteer organisers had been ‘overwhelmed’ by community support well before the event on 13th November. She said more than $35,000 in donations had been received from small businesses and sponsors ahead of the ‘Havana Dreaming’ evening. “It was also wonderful to see all three levels of government supporting youth and mental health programs,” Tracey said, the event supported by Federal MP Ross Vasta, State MP Joan Pease and Cr Peter Cumming.

Commodore David Redfern formally welcomed guests as the afternoon sun slipped behind the crest of the ridge before mingling in less formal attire, in the spirit of the Cuban ‘marketta’ theme, as lights twinkled on and the band began playing. To say that BABI General Manager Emina Ajanovic was stoked by the outcome would be an understatement: “The fantastic fundraising effort by CFCManly this year will go a long way to establishing a counselling service to support young people and their families at times of need,” Emina said.

Thanks to Yachtshare, some lucky guests enjoyed a VIP pre-party gathering by the displayed vessels on the Bill Kirby jetty. Pic above: Bernie Parker / all others: RQYS Media

Mainsheet 2021

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