Expo makes a difference

The second annual Gold Coast International Marine Expo has raised $12,900 through gold coin donations alone for local charities, which is a significant increase from last year and will go a long way in supporting the local community.

The Rotary Club of Coomera River provided 68 volunteers over the three days of the Expo who assisted with car parking, marshalling, security on entry points, tagging children, counting entrants and driving the courtesy buses.

A further $4,000 was raised at the charity art auction and Expo organisers have distributed funds between not-for-profit organisations Sailability, Paradise Kids and the Westpac Surf Life Saver Helicopter Rescue Service.

Rotary Club of Coomera River vice president, Pam Roberts, said the funds raised from the Expo would be utilised in various areas within the local Coomera community.

"Our first priority is to provide and set up play equipment, fencing and shade sails at the Beattie Road Community House, as well as a garden shed to safely store equipment to avoid theft and vandalism," Ms Roberts said.

"This house is used everyday for services delivered through the Communities for Children (C4C) Initiative, which focuses on the development and delivery of education and support for families within the local community.

"Our second priority is to donate $2,500 for 50 Christmas food hampers to be distributed to needy families in Coomera. These hampers will contain ingredients for a Christmas dinner, as well as gifts for each child. Our Rotary Club members will assist in the purchase and packing of these hampers."

Westpac Surf Life Saver Helicopter Rescue Service chief pilot, Peter Bird, said funds raised at the Expo would go towards upgrading rescue equipment on the service’s state-of-the-art air craft.

"We have 40 voluntary crew and we were very pleased to be part of the Expo. We are also extremely grateful for the support that the industry has given us in the past,” Mr Bird said.

"We use the helicopter as a roving mobile patrol to keep people safe in Queensland waters and we are one of the premier white-water rescue services in the world."

Sailability Gold Coast is a local charity that supports, promotes and encourages sailing among people with disabilities and diminished capabilities.

President, Peter Board, said the funds raised from the Gold Coast International Marine Expo would go a long way to help maintain the equipment they use every week.

"The Expo was fantastic, not only did it help us to attract some new volunteers but the funds raised at the charity art auction and gold coin donation will help us buy much-needed new life jackets and assist with funding general maintenance for our equipment. We feel extremely honoured and privileged to be one of the charities supported by the Expo," Mr Board said.

Arundel based charity Paradise Kids supports about 400 Gold Coast families every year who are experiencing grief or loss.

Community relations manager, Mireille Allan, said proceeds raised from the Gold Coast International Marine Expo would go to support more families in 2013.

"We don’t receive any government funding for our programs so we really appreciate the support of the local community and the organisers of the Gold Coast International Marine Expo," Ms Allan said.

Gold Coast International Marine Expo president, Stephen Milne, said funds for local charities and organisations was up by 34 per cent, which was a fantastic achievement for all.  

"In keeping with the Expo’s philosophy of being a totally family and community focused, not-for-profit event, we are extremely grateful to the public for their generous support during our three day event," Mr Milne said.

"Attendance at this year’s Expo was up by 24 per cent, exhibitor numbers increased with more than 40 new exhibitors; and once again the live entertainment, factory tours, presentations, workshops, and seminars that took place every 15 minutes over the three days, plus the free entry and free on site parking, all helped to make the Expo a major attraction for boating enthusiasts around Australia."

The 2013 Gold Coast International Marine Expo will be held on November 1, 2 and 3.  For more information contact the Expo office on 0447 758 884 or www.gcmarineexpo.com.au