Around the grounds
FORMER WAFL PREMIERSHIP STAR PROUD TO GIVE BACK TO COMMUNITY
BY MACLAREN SMITH
From State League to sales to supporting his local team , Ben Keevers and the Ray White Keevers Group are celebrating over 10 years of sponsorship this year of the Sorrento Duncraig Junior Football Club and the footy community .
The Ray White Keevers Group principal grew up playing for Sorrento Duncraig Hawks and through that , saw a pathway to play on with the Subiaco Football Club in the WAFL where he played 160 games and won three premierships in that time . Ben was always looking for ways to give back to the Sorrento Duncraig Junior Football Club where his passion for the game grew and has been coaching his son ’ s team since 2019 .
“ I have coached Lenny ' s team since the Auskick days , five years ago , and it ' s been very enjoyable to get involved and help the kids gain confidence and skills to start them on their football journey . It ' s great being able to make some fresh memories now with my son Lenny playing there ,” he said .
Speaking with Ben , he shared some of his fondest moments about his junior club , the connection to the community and some learnings that have translated into a successful career .
“ I started my footy in 1989 with the Hawks and a standout memory was our premiership win in Under 15 ’ s with my dad coaching the team . He is one of my biggest influences on my footy career and my life . I ' d love to be able to give that same experience to Lenny ,” he said .
“ Lessons like hard work , consistency , resilience , learning from mistakes , and getting knocked down and picking yourself back up have all translated into my career as both an athlete and an agent .
RAY WHITE WARRNAMBOOL HOSTS THIRD CHARITY BALL
BY MACLAREN SMITH
Ray White Warrnambool have hosted their annual charity ball , raising money for the Let ’ s Talk Foundation which is dedicated to increasing awareness and breaking the stigma around mental health .
The team put on the charity ball at the Warrnambool Racecourse and saw around 250 attendees at the special event . To the testament of the committee and the community , a total of $ 51,050 was raised for the great foundation .
" This was our third annual Charity Ball after a three year hiatus due to COVID . We could not be prouder of our team ' s commitment to raising in excess of $ 50,000 for Let ' s Talk , a group focused on assisting mental health ,” Ray White Warrnambool principal Fergus Torpy said .
Ray White Warrnambool ' s previous two charity balls pre-COVID had raised $ 44,000 for two local organisations , The Lookout Project and Standing Tall Warrnambool , all while prioritising the use of local suppliers which was a terrific result .
“ This ball has become a focal point of our business and its ability to connect and partner with the community . Not only that , it has become an amazing driver for our team ' s success and culture and the night itself was one to remember ,” Fergus said .
“ We received support from a number of Victorian Ray White offices which shows the connectivity of the group and their willingness to support each other .”
Along with countless hours of work in preparation for the event , Ray White Warrnambool has again contributed $ 10,000 towards the evening and were delighted with the results , and are looking forward to the 2025 charity ball .
“ The Sorrento Duncraig Hawks are such a huge part of the Sorrento community and living around there my entire life , becoming a sponsor means a great deal to me . I get a great sense of pride and satisfaction in being able to give back to the club where it all started for me and for it to come full circle with my son now at the club , I feel very fortunate .”
53