A Community of Saints 2018 Community Perspective 2018 | Page 23

Blue Ribbon Trevor Barker Foundation supported
by Challenge
Round 22, saw the Saints take on Hawthorn for the Blue Ribbon Cup. The teams
play for the Cup each year, commemorating the murders of Sergeant Gary Silk
and Senior Constable Rodney Miller. Not only was 2018 the 20-year anniversary,
it was also the 30-year anniversary of the murders of Constables Steven Tynan
and Damian Eyre, making it a truly memorable event. Round 20 marked the 19th Barker Whitten Challenge Plate, an annual
fixture contested between the Saints and the Bulldogs. The Saints hosted
the game that honours the memory of club legends Trevor Barker and EJ
Whitten, both of whom were tragically taken by bowel and prostate cancer
respectively. The game raises awareness for the two foundations – the
Trevor Barker Foundation and the EJ Whitten Foundation.
INITIATIVES
+ + Hosted a Beyond The Tape event at RSEA Park, with all proceeds going
directly to the Blue Ribbon Foundation.
+ + Family and friends of Blue Ribbon and Victoria Police were given tickets
to the Round 22 game, including the curtain-raiser between Prahran and
St Kilda Police Stations.
+ + With two anniversaries to celebrate, the game itself looked a little different,
with Special Operations Group members from Victoria Police presenting
the Blue Ribbon Cup and game ball pre-game. Following the post-game
presentation, players from both teams handed out police dog plush toy
puppies to the crowd.
+ + Supported the Sommerville Blue Ribbon Junior Football Day with a
handball target, prize giveaways and signed merchandise was donated
for fundraising.
The Saints made what was an enormously important day for Victoria
Police something very special.”
STUART BAILEY
INITIATIVES
+ + Four families visited RSEA Park and shared lunch and a kick-to-kick
with 2018 Trevor Barker Foundation Ambassador Seb Ross, Darren
Minchington, Tom Hickey, Jake Carlisle, Jack Sinclair, Hunter Clark,
Tim Membrey, Jack Steven and Dylan Roberton.
+ + Families attended the game in Round 20, with two lucky kids
running out with the team as junior mascots for the day.
+ + Players attended Challenge’s annual slumber party held at the
Pullman Hotel in Melbourne.
Everyone at the Saints were just first class and made the lunch
so much fun and truly memorable. Then to go to the game and
have the kids run out as mascots is something none of us will
ever forget, and for this we are very grateful and appreciative.”
KALB FAMILY
Challenge
Victoria Police Inspector
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