The inaugural Noosa Cup last Sunday was hailed a great success by organisers, not-for-profit Noosa Chances.
Attended by a sell-out crowd of 200 the event surpassed its fundraising target of $50,000 to provide education scholarships of $1,500 per year to talented and driven young people who face financial barriers and live or study in the Noosa Shire, event spokeswoman Tara Bell said.
“We are currently supporting 19 young people, including two school captains, with talents ranging from all-round academic excellence to music to design to leadership,“ she said.
“We are targeting 20 new scholarships in 2021.“
Noosa Chances was established last year by a group of local professionals, using events as its prime source of revenue.
The exclusive Noosa Cup brought together racing purists and non-punters to enjoy a three-course meal delivered by chef Matt Golinski through a collaboration with Noosa Tourism and the Eat and Drink Festival.
Matt brought along two students Sophie-Lee Gray of Noosa District State High School and Elizabeth Wheatley of Sunshine Beach State High School to gain hands-on experience.
The day was MCed by Queensland racing luminary Bart Sinclair and guests heard from a group of guest speakers including Mayor Clare Stewart, jockey Damian Browne, 2019 Melbourne Cup winner Vow and Declare co-owner Anthony Lanskey and trainer Joe Cleary.
And Mayor Stewart presented the Fincierge Noosa Cup to her husband, co-owner of winning horse, New Zealand bred Top Me Up Again.
Look out for their next event, a gala dinner on 21 November.
