With only 2,000 copies up for grabs, the Men of Queanbeyan charity calendar is set to be the hottest property in town when it launches at Queanbeyan Showground on Saturday night. No buts about it.
Sporting stars Terry Campese and Jordan Rapana of the Raiders and the Brumbies’ Nic White are among more than 150 local blokes featured in the calendar, which will be unveiled at the Respite Care for QBN 1920s Ball this Saturday 19 February.
The cheeky calendar is a fundraiser towards the construction and ongoing costs of a respite care facility in Queanbeyan.
After two years in production due to COVID-19 lockdowns and restrictions, months and months of delayed photo shoots, and three separate attempts at a launch party, the calendar is printed and will be ready for sale from Saturday night.
According to Respite Care for QBN chair, Paul Walshe OAM, the calendar team “just can’t wait to get the very special memento out and onto the walls of Queanbeyan homes”.
It is an important a fundraising effort for the Respite Care for QBN and stars some of the region’s finest, who have taken their kit off to raise awareness and money for a purpose-built respite facility in Queanbeyan.
Photos are set in some of the region’s most iconic locations, from Seiffert Oval and the Queanbeyan Showground to the old Captain’s Flat mine.
Mr Walshe said the calendar was the logical next step following the runaway success of the Women of Queanbeyan calendar in 2019, which raised over $80,000. It is hoped the men can raise at least $50,000 for the cause.
The calendar will be available to purchase from next week from the Hotel QBN (Top Pub), Walsh’s Hotel, Lindbeck’s Butchery and John Res Mechanical.
Respite Care for QBN was launched in 2018 to raise funds to build and administer a purpose-built, six-bedroom respite care facility for people aged between 18 and 60 in the Queanbeyan region who are suffering from a terminal and chronic illness.
To date, Respite Care for QBN has a block of land thanks to Queanbeyan Palerang Regional Council and $1.5m in funding from the Commonwealth and NSW State Governments to build the facility with a Development Application to be lodged in the coming days.
Unfortunately, Mr Walshe said, Respite Care for QBN is still no closer to getting support from governments on ongoing funding to run the facility.
“This funding is critical and without it we will not be able to open our doors and ensure we can provide the required level of respite care for people aged between 18 and 60 suffering from a chronic or terminal illness and to also support their carers,” he said.
And does Paul Walshe himself make an appearance in the calendar?
“All I can say is November 2022 is a good month,” he quipped.
To find out more about Respite Care for QBN, click here.
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