Now this is green energy. For the first time since 2019, energy traders from across the country have assembled for the Stanwell Classic Barefoot Bowls Day, competing for the highly sought-after Stanwell Perpetual Trophy while raising much-needed funds for South Burnett CTC’s homelessness initiative.
The nation’s energy traders have been kicking off their shoes and hitting the green for the Stanwell Classic since 2003, but due to COVID restrictions, the popular annual event was last held in 2019.
The event made its return in style at the New Farm Bowls Club on 24 November 2022, with a record 222 players and spectators in attendance. In total, 22 teams from across the energy industry took part in the competition, including Cubico Sustainable Investments, Stanwell’s partners in the Wambo Wind Farm project, and X-Elio, Stanwell’s partners in the Bluegrass Solar Farm.
We’re thrilled to report this year’s event, which was the largest in the Stanwell Classic’s 20-year history, raised a record $63,281 to support South Burnett CTC’s efforts to preserve dignity for the homeless.
Stanwell’s Executive General Manager of Energy Markets, Sophie Naughton, said the industry had been eagerly awaiting the return of the Stanwell Classic.
“The Stanwell Classic Barefoot Bowls Day has become one of the industry’s most highly-regarded and anticipated events because of the fun atmosphere on the day and the fact that it makes a genuine difference for the charities we raise funds for,” Sophie said.
“The bowls day supports a different Queensland charity every year. We look for organisations that share our values, which is why we chose South Burnett CTC this year – they’re working to preserve the dignity of people who are experiencing or are at risk of homelessness, which is a cause that everyone at Stanwell and all of the traders we work with feel passionately about.”
Originally established in 1983 as a community training centre, the community-owned, not-for-profit South Burnett CTC has expanded and diversified its operations over the years in accordance with the needs of the community.
South Burnett CTC’s homelessness initiative, which is not supported by government funding, provides people in need with a waterproof swag, a thermal sleeping bag and personal items.
South Burnett CTC CEO Nina Temperton, who was in attendance at the Stanwell Classic Barefoot Bowls Day, said the initiative is designed to fill an urgent need in the community.
“If someone in our community has a problem, we do our best to help them,” she said.
“South Burnett CTC currently receives two enquiries a day for homeless support, and many of those enquiries come from people who fall outside government-assisted support programs.
“The South Burnett has a 0.4 per cent rental vacancy, a chronic shortage of social and affordable housing and an overall shortage of rental supply that has led to a steep rise in weekly rents.
“Providing people with a weatherproof swag and other practical essentials goes a long way towards minimising the loss of dignity they can feel during such a difficult time in their lives.”
Thank you to everyone who attended, and congratulations to the team from Ampol, who took out the prestigious Stanwell Perpetual Trophy for 2022.
We look forward to seeing you all on the green again in 2023!
