Singleton Rotary Club president, Mel Rolfe says they had a busy day keeping everyone fed but it was well worth it as you never know when you will need the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service.

“He broke a few ribs and the helicopter transported him to hospital in Newcastle.”

​"Just last week one of our members, local electrician John Bailey fell from a height of five metres” he explains.

Mr Rolfe says an incident like this can happen anytime.

And that’s why Mr Rolfe and his treasurer, Ted Drayton, were happy to hand over a $3620 cheque to event manager and secretary of the Singleton Volunteer Support Group, Danny Eather on Tuesday.

The mercury may have tipped the mid-thirties, that did not deter the record number of spectators filling Singleton’s Pirtek Park and cheering on their husbands, partners, fathers, sons, brothers and colleagues at the 2015 A-Plus Contracting Hunter Valley Mining Charity Rugby League Knockout Competition.
 
This year’s Competition delivered enough hard hitting action reminisce of the National Rugby League with many players digging deep and giving it there all, with bragging rights were on the line. The highly anticipated grand final did not disappoint with the Austar Swamp Rats defeating the Ravensworth Rhinos 10 points to 4 in the Grand Final.
 
Whilst the competition pitted local mines employees against each other to claim the prestigious Charity Shield, the importance of the day was not lost with an incredible $45,000 being raised for the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service on the day.
 
Event manager Danny Eather admitted he was delighted with the overwhelming success of the day.
 
“There was a great sense of community and being family-friendly with plenty of activities to keep all the kids entertained”
 
“Despite the warm weather, the players provided an entertaining day of competition, with many spectators remain until the very last tackle in the deciding game”
 
“Overall, everything exceeded our expectations and we look forward to doing it all again in 2016”
 
Mr. Eather also acknowledged all the players, event partners and sponsors, spectators and fellow volunteers that helped made the day such a success.
 
“Whilst there are just too many organizations and individuals to single out I would just like make a special mention of a few – Andrew Hughes of A-Plus Contracting, Gus Mather & Malcolm Wills of Pirtek and our host Brad Solman, President of the Singleton Greyhounds United Rugby League Club without your combined support the event would not have been such a success as it was”

THE Austar Swamp Rats secured the A-Plus Contracting Hunter Valley Mining Charity Rugby League Knockout after accounting for the Ravensworth Rhinos in Saturday’s grand final at Singleton’s Pirtek Park.

Earlier in proceedings, the Austar squad eliminated the Glendell Gladiators 24-0, HV United Cobras 12-10 and MTW Eels 20-4.Led by former NRL star Terence Seuseu, and player of the match Luke Mercer, the Swamp Rats claimed a thrilling decider 10-4.

The Rhinos booked their berth in the finale following victories over Ashton Wombats 10-8, HV Mining All Stars 14-4 and Drayton Giants 34-0.

The tournament, which pitted local mine employees against each other to vie for the prestigious Charity Shield, also doubled as a fundraiser for the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service – Singleton Support Group.

Event manager Danny Eather admitted he was delighted with the day.

“I’m over the moon,” he said.

“There was a great community atmosphere. We not only had an entertaining final, but people hung around to watch the decider. Overall, everything exceeded our expectations.“I was thrilled by the size of the crowd. It will definitely be on again next year.”

Eather said the charity knockout easily served its purpose.

“Our two goals were to raise funds for the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service, which we did, and to make it family-friendly,” he told The Argus.

“And, I believe it was a good community event.

“We had a lot of free children’s activities including jumping castles, slides, face painting and a craft stall.

“I’d just like to thank all the players, sponsors, spectators and helpers who made the day such as success.”

​
Words - Singleton Argus (http://www.singletonargus.com.au/story/3416534/rats-swamp-rivals/?cs=1660)

The countdown is well a truly on with less than three weeks until the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service’s – Singleton Support Group hosts this year’s A-Plus Contracting Hunter Valley Mining Charity Rugby League Knockout Competition, with the event shaping up to be another great fundraising success.

This past Monday, representatives of the 14 competition teams along with event sponsors gathered to launch the countdown to the charity knockout competition as well as deciding upon the all-important draw for the opening round matches of the day. 

The opening match of the day will see Mt Owen Muddogs take on the Mt Arthur Meerkats, followed by the Ashton Wombats vs. Mt Thorley Warkworth Razorbacks, Mining All-Stars vs. Drayton Dragons, Drayton Giants vs. Ravensworth Rhinos, Austar Swamp Rats vs Mt Thorley Warkworth Eels, Hunter Valley United Cobras vs. Saxonvale Raiders and Mt Owen Mustangs vs. Glendell Gladiators to round out the first round.

Speaking at the launch for the event, Event Manager, Danny Eather, thanked the local miners in attendance for taking up the challenge and participating in this year event and expanding upon last year’s effort to benefit the Rescue Helicopter Service. 

“Of course we are extremely grateful for the financial contributions of our many event sponsors such as A-Plus Contracting, Pirtek, Vital Insurance, Workpac and Jennings Print, equally important is the willingness of the local miners to lace up their footy booty in the name of charity. Without our miners there would be no event and for that we offer a sincere thank you” said Mr Eather.

Mr. Eather also acknowledged the efforts of both Simon Clifford and Derek Vale for establishing the event last year and handing over the reins to the local Support Group. As the new custodians of the competition, Danny and his fellow volunteers are looking forward to growing the competition and making it a featured event on the local community calendar”

The action will not only be contained to the playing field with plenty of FREE children’s activities including jumping castles, slides, face painting and a craft stall. The Westpac Rescue Helicopter will also be making a special guest appearance on the day by flying in to deliver the Charity Shield as it celebrates 40 years of Service to the Hunter Valley community.

The gates at Pirtek Park, Singleton will open on October 10th at 8.00am with the first game kicking off at 9.00am. Both the Lions and Rotary Clubs of Singleton will be cooking up a storm to ensure nobody goes hungry throughout the day, along with Singleton Rugby League Club taking care of everyone’ refreshment needs. Entry to the event is $5 per vehicle parking onsite or $2 per person.