Sportsperson's Dinner
The Great Barrier Reef Masters Games (GBRMG) Sportsperson’s Dinner is back again following the huge success of the inaugural event in 2021, and generously sponsored by Wolf Lane Distillery.
Tickets for the dinner are available to both GBRMG participants and local residents and the event will be held at the Pullman Cairns International Hotel on the Friday evening of the Games, May 26, 2023.
Come and meet your sporting heroes
The evening's MC will be Tammy Barker, Triple M radio breakfast host, who will be introducing our guest speakers and facilitating the Q&A panel.
Featuring champion swimmer and the official Games Ambassador of the 2023 Great Barrier Reef Masters Games (GBRMG), Leisel Jones. Australian Icon, Leisel Jones, OAM is regarded as one of the world’s greatest ever female swimmers, winning seven World Championships titles, nine Olympic medals, 10 Commonwealth Games gold medals, 14 individual world records and 23 National titles. Currently studying psychology at university while also co-hosting The Rush Hour Drive program on Triple M Brisbane with Liam Flanagan an Ben "Dobbo' Dobbin, and channelling her Olympic drive into public speaking, drawing parallels between lessons in the pool and lessons in life.
Also appearing will be the Games FNQ Ambassador and local hero Matt Bowen. Born in Cairns and former Nth Qld Cowboy, Queensland State of Origin and Australian International professional rugby league footballer, Matt Bowen is renowned as one of NRL's most prolific fullback try-scorers. Since retirement, Matt now travels to some of North Queensland’s most remote Indigenous communities each week to deliver messages of positiveness and help close the gap in both health and education. He spends about 30 hours behind the wheel most weeks driving to these remote locations, but the moment he arrives and sees the smiles on the faces of all the kids, it makes every last second worth it.
Rounding off the panel, will be local softball sports legend, Joyce Lester. Joyce competed in 5 World Championships and the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games. She played 235 games for Australia and was captain of the Australian team for 11 years. Joyce was inducted into both the Australian and Queensland softball halls of fame in 1996, and in 2000 she received a Medal of the Order of Australia and an Australian Sports Medal, and was inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame. Since retiring, Joyce has continued to give back to softball as a volunteer, particularly in the coaching arena. The Joyce Lester Shield, Softball Australia's under-23 women's championship, is named after her.
The evening includes a welcome cocktail on arrival by Wold Lane Distillery, a two-course-course dinner with drink and prizes.
Tickets costs $72 for GBRMG registrants and $76 for no-registered attendees.
[click here] to book your tickets to the Sportsperson's Dinner now via Eventbrite
or when registering
Special guests:
| Leisel Jones OAM | Matt Bowen | Joyce Lester OAM |
|---|---|---|
|  |  |
Five-time Olympian and Olympic gold medallist, Natalie Cook OAM OLY, will share 
the secrets of her success firsthand at the inaugural 2021 Great Barrier Reef Masters Games (GBRMG) Sportsperson’s Dinner on May 21.
Tickets for the dinner are available to both GBRMG participants and local residents and the event will be held at the Hilton Hotel on the Friday evening of the Games, May 21, 2021.
Beach volleyball champion Natalie Cook is the official ambassador of the 2021 Great Barrier Reef Masters Games and during the Sportsperson’s Dinner she will shed light on how she has coped with life in and out of the sporting spotlight.
Tickets for the 2021 Great Barrier Reef Masters Games Sportsperson’s Dinner on May 21, 2021 at the Hilton Hotel costs $69 for GBRMG registrants and $76 for people not part of the GBRMG.
The price includes a two-course-course dinner featuring Natalie Cook as the key note speaker, drink on arrival, entertainment and prizes. The major lucky draw prize on the evening is an incredible Gold Class VIP Great Barrier Reef package for two worth more than $1200. Purchase tickets for the Sportsperson Dinner at https://entergbrmg.com.au as part of new registrations. If you have already registered for the Games check your inbox for details or call 4044 3390 to book.
The Great Barrier Reef Masters Games are presented by Cairns Regional Council with support from Tourism and Events Queensland.