Rich River Golf Club Helps Lead Fight Against MND

Held on 8 June, the Big Freeze Echuca Moama carried added significance following AFL legend and FightMND co-founder Neale Daniher's death from the condition only weeks earlier and the recent diagnosis of NRL star Jai Arrow.

Labelled by Daniher as “the beast”, motor neurone disease is a terminal illness that progressively robs people of their ability to move, speak, eat and breathe. There is currently no cure, with an average life expectancy of 2-3 years.

As major platinum partner of the event, Rich River Golf Club united hundreds of community members, businesses, volunteers and supporters across the border towns with the goal of contributing to breakthrough research.

Alongside organising group Lorna’s Girls, the Club elevated fundraising efforts and community spirit by helping to facilitate a golf tournament, dash for cash, mini golf, raffle, silent auction and other family activities.

But the undoubted highlight was the much-anticipated ice slide — made famous by the Daniher-inspired tradition at the annual King’s Birthday AFL match, where celebrities dress in creative costumes and plunge into a freezing pool.

Eighteen brave local identities accepted the chilly challenge at the Echuca Moama Big Freeze. Rich River Golf Club’s Lachlan Kelly and Phoebe Keech were among the sliders, raising $2,590 and $7,653 respectively.

Event organiser Naomi Beasley, from Lorna’s Girls, reflected gratefully on the initiative’s success.

Ms Beasley’s mother Lorna Hicks waged a courageous two-and-a-half-year battle against motor neurone disease before her passing aged 51 more than two decades ago.

“To raise $176,796 and be recognised as the second-largest community Big Freeze fundraiser in Australia is something our entire community should be incredibly proud of,” Ms Beasley said.

“This achievement belongs to every sponsor, donor, volunteer, slider and attendee who got behind Big Freeze Echuca Moama. The support we've received has been overwhelming, and we're incredibly grateful to our major sponsors whose generosity helped make this possible. 

“Together, we're funding vital MND research and support services while giving hope to families affected by this devastating disease."