If only we had a dollar for every good person on the Sunshine Coast.
Actually, it’s fair to say that we probably do! I know it’s over for another year but I have to share an example of the extraordinary people who love and support the annual 92.7Mix FM Give Me 5 appeal.
Ferre De Deyne is the owner of the Big Kart Track at Landsborough. It’s an iconic Sunshine Coast tourist destination and many of us know it as the scene of corporate functions that expose Anita in accounts as a maniacal speed hound who won’t settle for second place.
I reckon I’ve known Ferre for close to two decades and he’s a man who will share his time, his money and his knowledge of cultural and artistic diversity for causes he’s passionate about.
He’s not one for accolades. He gets on with the job at hand and, through his generosity, has made a tremendous impact on the Coast’s tourism, cultural and health landscape.
At the Mix FM Give Me 5 Art Auction at Sunshine Coast Art and Framing, Ferre stood quietly in the corner after perusing the beautiful artwork on display, donated by generous and talented local artists.
Throughout the evening, he bid generously on a piece called The Classic Subs, by local artist Adam Lester. On winning it, Ferre whispered to me that he had bought the piece for Wishlist Centre, to make our affordable accommodation facility even more comfortable for families needing a home away from home.
He then bid generously on an impressive sculpture by Finn Cassar, only to eventually be outbid by another determined art lover.
Later I discovered that Ferre had actually commissioned Finn to create the piece, to raise funds for the appeal that he’s supported for 24 years, to further support Coast families.
Oh, and he also donated a corporate package worth $5000 to the prize pool that night to ensure we’d raise even more for a cause that touches us all.
How lucky are we that this is the culture we’re all so accustomed to, here on the Sunshine Coast.
May we never take it for granted.
Thanks, Ferre.
