than religion , more than any other political movement or anything , sport does engage more people throughout the world , and we certainly recognise our role within that space .”
Newton said his role took on even greater meaning following the birth of his daughter Hope in 2013 .
“ I think everyone in this world has got someone in their life , a girl or woman in their life that they love and want to thrive in the world that we live in ,” he said .
“ I ’ ve got a number of them in my life but particularly my daughter - she ’ s only a child , but I want to be able to try and make it a safer place . By engaging boys and men in that gender equality conversation , hopefully , we ’ re going to have some advocates out there for equality and respectful relationships .
“ I ’ m not afraid to say that in a lot of ways I am a feminist . I think a lot of people use the word in the wrong way now as opposed to what it was meant for .
“ Feminism ’ s about being an advocate for equality and making sure women are considered just as equal as men , it ’ s not anything to be afraid or ashamed of - everyone would have a girl or a woman in their life that they want to thrive in this world and that ’ s what I want .”
This has also been a driving force behind Newton ’ s involvement with the Australian Childhood Foundation , a charity that works to support and protect vulnerable children and families , with the belief that all children have the right to a happy and safe childhood .
But Newton ’ s not the only one in his family who is passionate about charitable work .
His famous golfing father Jack has spent the past 38 years putting on what has become the longest running celebrity proam golf tournament in Australia – the Jack Newton Celebrity Classic .
Rebranded simply as The Jack this year , the event has played host to some of the biggest names in Australian sport , politics , stage and screen . It ’ s been contested by some of the country ’ s best professional and brightest up-and-coming golfers and more importantly , raised more than $ 6 million for diabetes research and awareness , as well as the development of junior golf through the Jack Newton Junior Golf program .
Newton said he is so proud of the work his father has been involved with off the golf course , as well as the promising career he had on it before his professional playing future was cut short following an accident in 1983 which claimed his right arm and right eye . Both sides of his golfing career were cited as reasons behind his inclusion in the Sport Australia Hall of Fame in October this year .
“ I ’ m more proud of my father in how he is recognised for not only what he ’ s done as a golfer but also what he ’ s contributed to golf and Australian sport and so many lives ,” Newton said .
“ I think to me it ’ s more special than just someone who was a good athlete .
“ There ’ s a difference between being good sportsmen and your contribution to sport because you have a choice to make and not everyone makes a choice to be a good contributor .”
Newton hopes his own contributions to The Jack now and in the future will help the pro-am continue the charitable legacy his father has so successfully built up during the past three decades .
Now in its 38th year , the event will be held at Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley and the adjoining Hunter Valley Golf Club on December 19-21 . Here 54 professional golfers , 54 celebrities , 54 amateurs and 54 sponsors ’ representatives gather together for three days of golf , good times and charitable goodwill .
Newton said the event had endured the test of time based on its spirit of “ family , togetherness , and charity .”
“ That ’ s what the tournament ’ s been able to provide to many people ,” he said .
“ It ’ s provided so many with some lifelong memories , but it ’ s also been able to give so many an opportunity to build some of the most trusted and loved relationships and friendships through the tournament and that ’ s why it ’ s been able to be so sustainable .
“ It ’ s much more than a tournament , it ’ s a feeling you get when you walk in there , and you see people , whether it be for
Clint ( right ) with father Jack Newton ( left ), Mother Jackie
( second left ), and partner Carly .
the first time or people that you ’ ve seen since the tournament ’ s inception , you just get a good feeling inside , and that ’ s the important part of the event .
“ I think that ’ s why so many people like to participate in it and we ’ re definitely committed to trying to ensure that continues .”
Helping Newton with this vision will be a committee of longterm supporters of both the event and his father , as well as Newton ’ s long-term partner and soon to be bride , Carly . “ It ’ s great that Carly ’ s also involved in the event ,” he said . “ It ’ s something that she ’ s passionate about because she ’ s so close to my family and it ’ s something that we want to continue to drive together .”
Of course , this year ’ s pro-am isn ’ t the only big event they ’ re involved in organising at the moment , with the pair preparing to marry at a special ceremony in Newcastle during January next year , with a reception to follow at Newcastle Town Hall .
“ That ’ s going to be amazing at the start of January to actually say that I ’ m married and that someone sees enough in me to commit to spending the rest of their life with me ,” Newton said .
“ I suppose one of the things that Carly , myself and our daughter are probably looking forward to the most is just the opportunity that weddings provide in bringing everyone together .
“ In today ’ s world everyone ’ s so busy , you need these big events to get people to commit to being able to get together . I ’ m only planning on doing it once , so I ’ m making sure there are enough people there to enjoy it !
“ It ’ ll be great , and I ’ m incredibly lucky to have had Carly come into my life the way she did , and I know how fantastic she is as a mother and a partner and a best friend .” ■
For more information on The Jack , sponsorship opportunities or the chance to jump in and swing a club with the best of them , visit www . jacknewtongroup . com
We ’ re looking for talented Lake Mac athletes aged 12-15 years , plus coaches , in the fields of athletics , sailing , swimming , basketball and soccer to participate in the 2017 International Children ’ s Games in Kaunas , Lithuania .
Applications close 19 December 2016 . Visit hunteracademy . org . au for more information .
14 | www . intouchmagazine . com . au