There will be no shortage of big names at tonight’s Newbridge Sportsman’s Night at the All Seasons Quality Resort in Bendigo.
Retired AFL footballer Doug Hawkins, former Australian cricketer Merv Hughes and comedian Russell Gilbert will host the Night for Newbridge in a bid to to raise money for the flood-ravaged sports club.
More than 300 tickets have already been sold.
Hawkins, who has had experience working with regional football clubs, said he was keen to jump on board and support Newbridge’s cause.
“When I started as a junior in Braybrook and through my coachingR of the under-16s in Bacchus Marsh, I know how hard it is for clubs to get the sponsorship they need for survivial,” he said.
“I was told the Newbridge footy club got hit by the water and really needed to raise funds for both the football and the netball club.
“I was happy to help out.”
Hawkins said there would be no shortage of laughs at Newbridge’s night, with the “boys from the wild, wild west” excited to put on a good show for the club.
“The best thing about the group is that we all support the Western Bulldogs so we call ourselves the ‘boys of the wild, wild west’,” he said.
“Russell will be steering it a bit with about 15 minutes of comedy to start the night and after he’s flogged them he’ll be sending me up for a 25-30 minute talk.
“Then we’ll have big Merv bringing it home.”
Melbourne Vixens netball stars Julie Corletto and Bianca Chatfield will also attend.
Newbridge Football Netball Club player Mark Holland said the club was looking forward to a fun night out.
“It’s just going to be a bit of fun for the club because it’s all been pretty serious lately,” he said.
“There will also be a big auction with 15 or 20 major items as well as silent auction items and a raffle, with all proceeds going towards the new clubrooms that are in the pipeworks at Newbridge.
“The total damage was $1.4 million so any funding counts.”