Logan City Council residents have raised $7,300 for the Burma cyclone and China earthquake relief efforts through a Souths Logan Magpies football match.
Deputy Mayor, Councillor Russell Lutton, said it was a great day of rugby league, with all three of the Souths Logan teams winning their matches against the Tweed Heads Seagulls.
“You could just feel the community spirit in the air on the day – people were digging deep to buy raffle tickets and making donations as they entered the gates,” he said. “About 1,700 people came to cheer on the Magpies, about twice the normal crowd attendance.”
As a result of Council sponsoring the game day, the Souths Logan Magpies also donated all the gate takings as well as a percentage of their bar and catering takings. The club also encouraged other community groups and businesses to get involved with the event.
Governance, Finance and Water Committee Chairperson, Councillor Luke Smith, said many people put in a great deal of time to organise the family football day.
“We were entertained by the Logan Youth Music Exchange and Angels of Fire, and the games were sensational too,” he said. “The funds raised will be divided equally between the Australian Myanmar Friendship Association of Queensland and World Vision, to support those affected by the cyclone in Myanmar (commonly known as Burma) and the earthquake in China. Both of these natural disasters happened in early May but the devastation has been hard hitting and there are still many people suffering.
“Having visited Myanmar a number of times, I know how badly the funds are needed.
“Logan City is home to approximately 200 Burmese residents, so the cyclone has had an emotional impact locally
as well.”
