Local football netball clubs, at the heart of small communities, rallying behind their own and this was never more evident than at CDHBU’s brain cancer awareness day last Saturday.

At their home match against Howlong Spiders, CDHBU held a cake stall as well as raffles, BBQ and more in support of members of the Power fraternity Caity, Joel, and Alfie Rippingale in the midst of Caity’s devastating Glioblastoma diagnosis, an aggressive and incurable form of brain cancer.

CDHBU board member, Sarah Hanrahan said it was a fantastic day and the club could not have asked for better weather and support.

“The crowd was huge and the response was overwhelming. The community really turned out in force to show their support,” Sarah said.

“After the article ran in The Free Press, I was contacted by so many locals wanting to help.

“The Corowa Bakery generously donated cakes for the cake stall and bread for the BBQ, which was run by our reserves coach Aaron Phibbs, and both Meat on the Murray and Corowa Meats donated meat.

“An anonymous donor contributed $5 for every club beanie sold on the day.

“The netball girls stepped up and sold tickets at the gate and the cake stall received over 400 donated items, some from people who aren’t even part of our club, but wanted to do their bit.

“It sold out before the senior game even started.

“We were astonished to have raised $10,200.

“This is in relation to RWW Giants member Shelley McLellan Hogan who organised and ran a raffle when we played them two weeks ago, and Corowa Rutherglen FNC who generously donated their gate raffle proceeds from their June long weekend game to the Rippingale family.

“Together, they raised over $5,000, a truly remarkable contribution and a testament to the spirit of our wider football and netball community.”

Many raffle tickets were also sold and drawn by Caity’s father-in-law and football vice president Paul Rippingale after the seniors game.

The winners were: Helifly Joy Flight: Darkie Collins; Greenacres/Corowa Getaway Package, including two nights at Greenacres Motel, plus vouchers from Club Corowa, Corowa Golf Club, Parker Pies, Corowa Café, two movie tickets, and a full day e-bike hire from Sports Power won by Jarrod and Meghan Hanrahan who kindly kept the vouchers but generously donated the accommodation prize back; Greenacres Accommodation (re-donated): Alan Morris; Silken Skin Spa – a year of massages: Nikita Bainbridge and Cut and Polish from Corowa Smash Repairs + Firewood from Daniel Carter: Graeme Hicks.

Graeme donated the firewood back as he didn’t need it, and it was sold again with the money going back to the cause.

As well as funds and awareness, a special moment was shared between the two clubs as they paused for a minute’s silence to honour those who have lost their lives to brain cancer, and to stand with those who continue to fight.

“We were also privileged to have Greg Willett toss the coin to start the game — a reminder of the strength and resilience within our community,” Sarah said.

“May Caity’s and Greg’s stories inspire us all to trust our instincts and advocate for ourselves and for others.

“Joel, Caity, and Alfie — please know you are in our hearts and thoughts.

“May the strength of our community and the love that surrounds you bring comfort in this incredibly difficult time. We’re with you, every step of the way.”

Joel commented on CDHBU’s post of the day, reiterating his families gratefulness for the support.

"What an amazing club. We can’t express enough how grateful we are for the support myself, Caity and Alfie have received,” Joel wrote.

“Local football clubs are like a family and this truly shows this.

“We would also like to say thank you to Rand Walbundrie/Walla Walla, Corowa-Rutherglen and Howlong football clubs for their support also."

To continue to support the Rippingale family or to donate, visit GoFundMe and search ‘Support for Caity, Joel and baby Alfie’ or visit https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-for-caity-joel-and-baby-alfie.

Read Greg Willet’s story of survival in next week’s Free Press.

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Sunday, 11th May 2025

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