The remarkable community of Agnes Water and town of 1770 has come together for a second ‘Tree Party for the Common Good’, proving just how much they value the vital research that takes place at The Prince Charles Hospital.
This year’s event was held on August 31, and it was the perfect evening to gather under the iconic old mango tree at Air Sea Rescue Park 1770.
The partygoers were treated to a seaside sunset and gentle breezes before dancing the night away under the stars, all while raising funds for the Queensland Lung Transplant Service Research Centre through The Common Good.
“It was not only a marvellous evening full of lots of laughter and some great music and moves on the dancefloor – but funds raised through the event will make an incredible impact for a lab that aims to find ways to stop fibrotic lung diseases from developing and progressing to end-stage where the only treatment option remains lung transplantation,” said The Prince Charles Hospital Foundation’s General Manager of Communications, Marketing and Engagement, Chloe Nguyen.
“We are deeply honoured to be a charity beneficiary for such an incredible event organised by such a wonderful community for the second year in a row.”
Many people make this event possible, in particular locals Matt and Megan. They were both instrumental in organising the first event in 2023, which raised over $12,000 for Cystic Fibrosis research. Both Matt and Megan have family members impacted by the genetic condition. Read more about why the event started here.
“I think there are over thirty businesses that have donated to our monster raffle; there were also donations and sponsorships from businesses throughout the town. This community of Agnes Water is so, so special. There are so many people who need to be thanked to get this together, but mostly, I want to thank the people here standing in front of us who’ve bought tickets,” said Megan at the event.
Members of Captain Cook 1770 Agnes Water Lions Club volunteered by running the bar again in 2024.
“The support in this town is insane. It’s so good, and yeah, without you guys, this wouldn’t be able to happen,” said Matt in a speech on the night.
Not only was Matt the driving force behind the planning and fundraising this year, but his band, 1770superjam, was also the tree party’s headline act for the second year.
“It’s good to share our love of music in a way that we can use it positively and contribute like that. It’s about having the opportunity to use my music, which is my passion, for good,” said Matt before the event in 2023.
This year, Matt’s band entertained the crowd along with Ole Falcor from the northern rivers of NSW. From Victoria was “Twin Cylinder,” consisting of former local Jack Blandford and Melbourne artist Otis Namrell.
Plans are already underway for the 2025 Tree Party for The Common Good.
“We’ll be back again next year, and hopefully, we can see your faces again, and we’ll go bigger and better,” said Matt.
This year, ‘ The Outback Mind Foundation’, a local men’s health charity, was also a beneficiary.
“Both causes are very close to my heart,” said Matt.
Thank you so much to everyone involved in organising this incredible event and, of course, to the local community, which has once again thrown its support behind the tree party. We are so grateful and can’t wait to see you again next year!
