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Arthur’s winning $15,000 grin

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Cameron NewboldAlbany Advertiser
Emu Point member Arthur Gorman is $15,000 richer thanks to Bendigo Bank.
Camera IconEmu Point member Arthur Gorman is $15,000 richer thanks to Bendigo Bank. Credit: Laurie Benson/Laurie Benson

A member of the Emu Point Sporting Club for more than a decade, retiree Arthur Gorman has 15,000 reasons to smile after winning the major prize in the Albany Community Bank’s Get In The Game raffle.

More than $70,000 has been injected into local sporting and recreation clubs in the Great Southern as a result of the raffle run by the Bendigo Bank’s Albany branch.

The ACB put up $20,000 in total prize money for the raffle with all ticket proceeds going to the clubs that sold them.

Drawn last Friday by former Hockeyroo and South Stirling local Kathryn Slattery, Gorman won the $15,000 first prize after buying a book of tickets from his Emu Point Sporting Club.

Bendigo Bank branch manager Natasha Thompson and former Hockeyroo Kathryn Slattery at the raffle draw.
Camera IconBendigo Bank branch manager Natasha Thompson and former Hockeyroo Kathryn Slattery at the raffle draw. Credit: Laurie Benson/Laurie Benson

The 81-year-old was still grinning ear to ear this week.

“The bank did Albany proud, sporting clubs are all battling for money and it can be tough,” Mr Gorman said.

“My wife and I bought a book of tickets each, they rang her phone and I’m a deaf old bugger so I passed it back to her and she cheekily checked the ticket wasn’t in her name.

“At the bowls club they are all saying ‘Arthur you’ve got to buy drinks at the bar’.

“We are retirees and $15,000 is still a lot of money. I plan to buy a new telly, spread it around the club and our family, and maybe go on a holiday.

“I’m nearly 82, we were married 60 years on January 23 so it’s been a big week of celebrations.”

Albany Community Bank chair Sarah Bowles, first prize winners Shirley and Arthur Gorman and branch manager Natasha Thompson.
Camera IconAlbany Community Bank chair Sarah Bowles, first prize winners Shirley and Arthur Gorman and branch manager Natasha Thompson. Credit: ACB

A total of $71,835 was raised by the 20 participating clubs, which sold 14,367 tickets over a four-month period.

Albany Surf Life Saving Club sold two tickets that won $1000 minor prizes while Emu Point Sporting Club, Royals Cricket Club and Albany City Kart Club also sold minor prizes.

Royals Cricket Club and Albany City Kart Club also sold tickets that were drawn to earn their respective buyers $1000.

ACB board chair Sarah Bowles said it was a really pleasing result for all involved.

“We had aimed to raise around $100,000 and there were 25,000 tickets available,” Ms Bowles said.

“However over $70,000 raised and injected into local clubs is a fantastic result.”

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