Summer Charity Boost for Skin Cancer Centre

December 12th, 2005 - Media Statement

The Wembley Golf Complex recently swung into high gear, raising more than $10,000 for charity.

The public golf course hosted more than 130 amateurs, including Liam Bartlett, presenter of ABC Radio's Morning Program, in an 18-hole event initiated by the radio station.

The golf day on November 22nd was held to raise money for the Scott Kirkbride Melanoma Research Centre which is based at the Western Australian Institute for Medical Research (WAIMR) in Nedlands.

The Centre was established in March this year in memory of Scott Kirkbride, a young Mt Claremont golfer who died from melanoma last December at the age of 27.

It's been set up to investigate the genetic causes of skin cancer, one of the most deadly and prevalent forms of cancer.

Scott was also a former employee at the Wembley Golf Complex.

Complex manager Rob Farley said he was thrilled to be able to lend a helping hand to boost research into melanoma.

"With summer fast approaching it brings home again the need to do everything possible to help prevent skin cancer in this country, and that's what this charity golf day is all about," he said.

"Losing Scotty was a tragedy; if we can do our best to help stop more people being affected by melanoma by stepping up research into it, then we can hope to make a difference."

The Charity Golf Day wrapped up with an evening dinner.

Scott's mother Yvonne Kirkbride, together with WAIMR Director Peter Klinken, thanked everyone involved including the ABC, the Wembley Golf Complex, the Town of Cambridge for allowing use of the golf course, and all sponsors and supporters for their generous contributions.

Melanoma is the third most common form of cancer in Australia and there are over 1000 new cases of melanoma diagnosed in Western Australia each year.

The Centre has been made possible through fundraising efforts by the Kirkbride family, their friends and a generous commitment by the University of WA.

For more information please contact:
Natalie Papadopoulos
Media Consultant for the WA Institute for Medical Research
Mobile: 0407 984 435
Office: (08) 9381 8237