Filmmaker's drive to save slice of history

If you enjoy playing a round on the green and giving back to your community, here is a fun event for you!

Keen players from across Moreton Bay are encouraged to put together a team and sign up for an upcoming charity golf day at the Virginia Golf Course on Friday, July 1.

The event is hosted by filmmaker Jeff Hughes from This Story Australia – A not-for-profit organisation that creates documentaries featuring veterans.

Through the organisation, Jeff meets with veterans from all wars and conflicts to record their stories and anecdotes so they can be preserved for future generations.

Jeff says the proceeds from the golf day will ensure he can continue his work and create more documentaries before the stories are lost forever.

“Almost all the money that comes in goes directly to preserving veterans’ stories and making the videos,” Jeff says.

“As a small organisation, we don’t have a lot of overheads, so the money goes towards the videographers and the editing process.

“It’s important to meet with the surviving veterans and hear about their lives, their families, and their service because it is part of our nation’s history.

“I will ensure this money stays in the local area by interviewing veterans from Moreton Bay and the greater Brisbane region.”

Jeff is planning on interviewing eight veterans before the golf day, but money raised on July 1 means he can interview a further six veterans.

Sadly, there have been times when he hasn’t made it in time.

“There have been some instances where families have got in touch with me asking to meet with their relative, but they have passed away before I could get the chance,” Jeff says

“It’s quite heartbreaking because these are veterans from all different wars, not just WWII.

“Some of the veterans are in their 80s or 90s, depending on the age when they served.

“A veteran we interviewed last year passed away in February and he was only 86, so I am glad I got to hear his story.”

Above: Filmmaker Jeff Hughes with a behind-the-scenes look of an interview with a veteran. 

Get ready to tee off

Jeff hosted a successful golf fundraiser last year and is hoping to have the same response and enthusiasm from the local community.

“We held a golf day at Victoria Park last year and we had 24 teams, so I am hoping those that came along last year will sign up again this year,” Jeff says.

“We would also love to see some new businesses come on board to enjoy a day on the green.”

Individuals can also be catered for and placed with others to form a team.

If you can’t make it down on the day but would still like to help, Jeff says businesses can choose to sponsor a hole.

Sponsors who have already come on board include Treasury Brisbane, Drummond Golf Virginia, Callaway Golf, Fleet Crew and Sirromet Wines.

How to register

Early bird tickets are on sale now.

If you book before May 31, the cost will be $640 for a team or $160 per individual.

After May 31, the price will be $720 a team and $180 for individuals.

Players will tee off early in the morning and play until 1pm, followed by a luncheon.

For more information about registering a team or sponsorship opportunities, visit the This Story Australia website.

You can also find them on Facebook or contact Jeff directly on 0439 661 448.

Alternatively, you can email Jeff on [email protected]