By Ron Lane
It was in August 1980 that a short little dark haired bloke from Sydney town accompanied by two lifelong friends and partners, Con Savva and Adrian Howe, lobbed in Noosa and settled in Sunshine Beach, embarking on a business venture. “We had visited Noosa in April and liked what we saw.”
Now some thirty nine years later that little bloke from Sydney Town, Glenn Puckeridge or Puck as he is fictionally known to his mates, is still here; and not only that but he is now looked upon as being something of a legend.
The chosen field that bought about this respect and recognition is not in the much publicized world of sport or of big business, but in the too often unheralded world of fundraising. To make his efforts more outstanding is the fact that the majority of funds raised has been for the purpose of assisting children in need.
Puck will be the first to tell you, “I could have not done it alone. Down through the years there have been countless people both as patrons and committee personal who have given their time and energy to make our projects become a reality.”
Born in Sydney and educated at the Forrest Lodge Primary School and the Ibrox High School, he finished his education in year10. On entering the work force he started as a dispatch clerk with an electrical company in the heart of Sydney Town. After some four years he took a position with a company who specialised in the importation of high quality musical instruments. ‘’It was very interesting; we imported the world renowned Gibson Guitars, Selmar brass and Woodwind with heavy emphases on Premier percussive instruments.”
It was during this time that Puck met Robin the lady who was to become his future wife and mother of their two beautiful daughters, Megan and Jessica.
Then in 1980 came a big move. Along with two lifelong friends Con Savva and Adrian Howe (with whom he had teamed up) they decided to look for a business venture on Northern N.S.W. but could not find anything of interest. “But then we became aware of a shop on the market at Sunshine Beach Noosa Heads: having visited Noosa early in the year, we decided this would be the way to go. We made the move and after taking over we decided to rename the shop The Sunshine Shoppe. It became a bit of a joke the Sunshine Shoppe, Sunshine Beach, Sunshine Coast in the Sunshine State. How could we not succeed with a slogan like that?”
Away from the shop Con, in 1981 had joined the Sunshine Beach Surf club obtaining his bronze the same year. The following year both Puck and Adrian also joined and with Cons training, supervised by Chief Instructor Geoff Potter they also obtained their bronze. Little did Puck realise that this was to be the start of a career with the Sunshine club: covering 24 years on the beach as a patrolman, radio operator and staff member of the Supporter Club.
It was about this time that the surf club started to build their club house and Puck and his partners also volunteered to do odd jobs during construction. Then in 1983 they decided to sell the shop and go their separate ways; with Con becoming a lifeguard on the Gold Coast and Adrian returning to NSW to start a career in teaching.
Late 1984 saw Puck become more involved in the club when he was appointed bar manager. “In those days we worked on what was called a Sporting Body Permit (government liquor license) which permitted us to trade a 5 hour day 5 days a week. To bring my time up to a 40 hour week I also worked as a cleaner.” As the club grew to full license Puck became full time bar manager and following this, worked as a Sponsorship and Special Events Manager for a further two years.
“I found the sponsorship work very interesting meeting all types. What I didn’t realise was that I was establishing a large group of contacts throughout the community and when I became heavily involved in the fundraising game they were invaluable.” It was during his time as a bar manager, that John and Sue Piercy organized for the Sunshine Beach Surf club to run the bar at the Jack Newton Pro –Am charity golf day for the then Noosa Tewantin Golf Club; naturally Puck became involved. It was through this that the possibility of a Smile for a Child charity golf day took hold.
In 1992 when the Jack Newton Pro-Am Charity Golf Day shifted to the Twin Waters Golf Club, John and Sue Piercy’s continued their ongoing work at Tewantin. It was then that Puck and his helpers started the charity golf days for the local Surf Clubs, which they continued to do till 2006. However following the untimely death of John in early 2000, this charity day had become known as the John Piercy Memorial; and this was to become The Smile for a Child beneficiary.
This particular event now in its 13 th year, has been established as one of the most successful charity days in the history of the Noosa community; and all indications are that it will continue to do so. In 2007 Puck decided to consolidate the concept by inviting the managers of various clubs to become involved. They listened, liked his presentation and decided to join. The Smile For a Child Charity was under way
“We started with eight clubs but now we are down to five as three sadly are no longer operating. The five remaining clubs are Noosa and Sunshine Surf clubs, Noosas Yacht and Rowing Club, Tewantin Noosa RSL and the Noosa Golf Club. The community at large has given great support and it is from this that we get our prizes and sponsorship.” Such has been the response that should 2019 be yet another financial success, the overall tally banked should touch $400,000; and it all goes to charities for kids.
Amongst the charities to benefit are Frangipani Dreams, Sunshine Butterflies, Starlight Children’s Foundation, Sunny Kids, Leukemia Foundation, KIDS Foundation and the Australian Himalayan Foundation. Apart from these charities there have also been seven or eight individual cases in need of surgery or assistance.
Another, (but also unheralded) part of Pucks work has been consolidating a good working relationship between Clubs Queensland and the Sunshine Coast Community. In the world of hospitality this relationship is of the utmost importance for as Puck once stated, “It’s important for our clubs to show that they are beneficial to the community.”
Clubs Queensland is an organization in Brisbane that acts on behalf of all clubs and represents them at Government and licensing level for all compliances. The importance of this is absolutely vital to the stability and future planning of our clubs. The contribution made by Glenn Puckeridge to this venture cannot be stressed enough.
When people who command respect accept a position as PATRON they automatically create an atmosphere of good intention. So what could be better than to have people of the caliber of Evonne Goolagong Cawley AC, MBE, Roger Cawley, Michael O’Connor (dual Rugby International) amongst others, accepting these invitations? By doing so, they have down through the years, created a platform from which fundraisers such as Puck can launch functions that are invaluable to our children in need.
They, the PATRONS, become a vital part of the team of volunteer workers; people such as Anton Mogg (one of the founding club managers), Steve Kinney, Little Joe Power, Tony Haack, Committee and staff of the Noosa Golf Club and countless others who have given Puck total support. “We will always be there for Puck,” said Noosa Surf Club manager Anton Mogg. “This man is second to none and whenever he takes on a project he is always there regardless of the time and effort required.”
It is because of men such as Glenn Puckeridge, fundraiser, that countless numbers of children and parents throughout our community can go on to live a better life. Proud to say he is one of — Our People.
