Cotton on to this!

Earlier this year, Angel Flight received an exciting phone call from Australian Cotton Conference secretariat Tracey Byrne-Morrison announcing Angel Flight as the 2024 Australian Cotton Conference beneficiary. Beyond honoured at the proposal, we promptly accepted and spent time preparing with conference organisers to leverage the opportunity with the well aligned organisation.  

The conference week kicked off with a fun-filled Golf Day at Emerald Lakes, Gold Coast on 5^th August and it was here we got a taste of the generosity that followed. The 20+teams of golf enthusiasts were presented with the opportunity to achieve an ‘Albatross’ for a $50 donation to Angel Flight. An albatross, also known as a double eagle, is an exceptional feat in golf, achieving a par-5 hole in just two shots! How on earth did they achieve this, I hear you ask? Well, the clubs aside and replaced their driver with a strong arm and hurled the ball across the bunker onto the green. The spirited bunch who had traveled from far and wide for the week-long conference, were more than happy to give golfing greatness a shot in support of Angel Flight. Some were hearing about our service for the first time, whereas others from areas we frequent, like Griffith, Moree, and Walgett were familiar and understood the vitalness of the service. 

After raising over $1000 in one day, we were off to a cracking start, but the best was yet to come, and what followed at the conference charity day on Thursday 8^th August was a humbling reminder of how valued our service is amongst the rural community. The theme for the charity day was blue and a sea of Angels dressed in tutus, fluffy halos and wings paraded through the convention centre, collecting thousands of cash donations on our behalf.

Of course, no conference is complete without long line of weary caffeine hunters and true to form the RaboBank barista was under the pump offering free coffee and tea in return for a donation to Angel Flight.

Angel Flight CEO Marjorie Pagani was allocated a speaking spot in a session themed ‘Boosting your Team -Mind Body and Soul’ and aptly told stories of Angel Flight, unknown to many. Although many country people in the audience were aware of Angel Flight’s core service, the majority were unaware of the additional ways we have help people during natural disaster, throughout COVID and when faced with death and family tragedy. One gentleman was so touched by the talk, he approached the Angel Flight promotional stand, and personally donated $1000 to the cause. These selfless acts of kindness are an uplifting reminder of how one person can make a life-changing difference to a complete stranger in need.         

Concluding official proceedings was the charity auction and this was hands down the most exhilarating and emotionally moving 30 minutes of the week. Talented Auctioneer, Sam Moy from Nutrien-Ag quickly built excitement and momentum in the room as he auctioned off the items from donors including but not limited to; Corteva Agriscience John Deere Gallagher, Aruva Modular, Mort & Co ,The Farmer’s Friend and McGregor Gourlay. A phenomenal $35,000 was raised for Angel Flight through the auction. A notable mention to Avondale Ag who were the successful bidder of the 30 millionth bale of cotton donated by Namoi Cotton and bought for $14,5000!

The show of generosity, gratitude and Australian spirit in the room was overwhelming with the end result changing the lives of people living hundreds and thousands of kilometers from medical care.

From all avenues of fundraising, the Australian Cotton Conference raised $40,000 for Angel Flight, a commendable effort and a sizable donation that will enable roughly 40 missions (80 flights), however the impact and trickle-down effect of helping rural families in need is much much greater. 

The most heartwarming thanks must go to the organisers, donors, sponsors, exhibitors and delegates of Australian Cotton Conference who whole heartedly supported us. We are truly honoured and humbled by the whole Cotton community.