Arabic version: المجتمع يجمع أكثر من 500,000 دولار لصالح منشأة رياضية في إليستون
A team of 38 runners completed a 720-kilometre Bucky’s Beach Relay from Adelaide to Elliston, raising more than $500,000 to fund a new community sporting facility in Elliston in memory of teacher Simon ‘Bucky’ Baccanello, who died in a shark attack in May 2023. The total had yet to be fully counted after an initial $300,000 target was exceeded.
According to ABC News, Baccanello was attacked while surfing at Walkers Rock. He had joined Elliston Area School earlier that year as a health and physical education teacher and was involved in junior sports, football and tennis. Walkers Rock was the scene of the first of six shark attacks in eight months along South Australian beaches. Runners left Adelaide on Tuesday and were welcomed into Elliston on Saturday morning.
Organiser Pete McDonald, a friend of Baccanello, said he was overwhelmed by the community’s support and that “the money is still pouring in, it’s just unbelievable.” Paul Baccanello, Simon’s brother, said he wanted Simon remembered for how he lived and that “my family is indebted and very grateful to the community of Elliston who have just been extraordinary to our family.”
Elliston Area School principal Chad Fleming said he was “blown away” by the support and camaraderie of the runners. He said plans for the new facility had not yet been finalised but that the project would focus on community health, wellbeing and fitness. “We’ve got a really vibrant committee organised … everyone’s having a say and input on what this amazing amount of money will be put towards,” he said.
What happens next: plans for the new facility have not yet been finalised and the committee will determine how the funds are allocated. Friends and family say the facility will be his legacy. The fundraising effort highlights local generosity and a community organising to create a lasting resource that reflects Baccanello’s involvement with children and local sport.
Related sections: Australia/استراليا | Western Australia | South Australia | General | Social/إجتماعية
