Sea Shepherd Australia’s Byron Bay chapter raised more then their flag on the weekend, when a fundraiser at the Brunswick Hotel netted $41,000 that will go directly into the 10th Antarctic Campaign – Operation Relentless.
Captain Peter Hammarstedt delivered what he says is his ‘best speech yet’ to a crowd that were all too happy to dig deeply in their pockets to help get the ships down to the Southern Ocean and protect the whales in Australian waters. If you missed the powerful speech you can listen online here: https://soundcloud.com/chopsuey-roaming-radio/captains-speech-sea-shepherd.
A spokesperson said the success was in large part owed to ‘the endless support from the management and staff at the Hotel Brunswick, who originally approached Sea Shepherd and offered their support and use of the hotel’.
‘The amount of help and assistance from Dave Ryan and Kyle Douglas – who handed over a check for $10, 000 towards the cause – was phenomenal,’ the spokesperson said.
‘The all-star lineup of OKA, Bobby Alu, Kit Bray, Milan Martin and Ziggy Alberts drew in the crowd from the moment it started and what a surprise to have local Sea Shepherd supporter Xavier Rudd drop by and play an impromptu song that united the whole place.
‘Some 111 faces were painted, merchandise sold out, people danced from start to finish and listened to the incredible speeches throughout the day. Sea Shepherd also wish to thank every single person who came and enjoyed it.’
The event was sponsored by the Byron Shire Echo and Print Rescue.
You can still help support Sea Shepherd by going to www.seashepherd.org.au and making a donation online or contact the Byron Bay chapter on Facebook: Sea Shepherd Byron Bay.
That’s the last beer I’ll have at the Bruns!