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WORTHWHILE WALK: The Defence DHL Lake Attack for children’s charities attracted hundreds of families for the walk category around Albert Park Lake in Melbourne. A further 1000 took part in the run category.
Photo: SGT Dave Gran
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The 2006 Defence DHL Lake Attack and post event dinner raised a record $150,000 for family and children’s charities in Victoria.
Hundreds of runners, walkers and spectators thronged Melbourne’s scenic Albert Park Lake route on August 27 for the 24th anniversary of the annual community charity fun run and walk organised by the Australian Defence Force in association with DHL.
The Lake Attack money count was bolstered by additional funds raised at the post-event charity dinner on September 16 at Victoria Barracks in Melbourne.
All funds raised will be divided equally between Legacy, The Malcolm Sargent Cancer Fund for Children, the Compassionate Friends and the Kidsafe Child Accident Prevention Foundation.
The Lake Attack day included a choice of a team relay event or an individual run/walk with individual, school and Defence categories.
Recruits from HMAS Cerberus were invited to enter teams in the event with the opportunity of not only representing the Navy but also winning an MP3 player and receiving the HMAS Cerberus Defence Lake Attack fun run perpetual trophy.
Crossing the line for first in the teams event were RCT Gregory, RCT Meyer and AB Carroll, closely followed by RCT Foster, RCT Warlosz and RCT Lynch.
Defence personnel set up logistics for almost 2000 participants.
The starter’s gun was 2nd/10th Field Regiment’s 105mm Howitzer fired by Army supervised marshals, Melbourne Lord Mayor John So and Minister for Sport and Recreation and Carlton Football Club legend Justin Madden.
Three Navy 723 Squadron Squirrels provided aerial and static displays while the Navy Band rocked on to the sizzle of a barbecue and Navy’s World Championship Dragon Boat Team defeated all comers.
The Defence initiative to foster a public activity at Melbourne’s Albert Park Lake to raise funds for worthwhile charities has its roots back in 1982.
“The Lake Attack has grown beyond event organiser’s expectations with more than $100,000 raised last year through 1400 participant registrations, ” AVM Christopher Spence, CJLOG, said.
“The event this year is sure to exceed last year’s donation to the four charities with almost 1800 participant registrations.
“The 2006 event was also given a financial ‘leg up’ by DHL with a generous $35,000 sponsor’s cheque.”.
