21/2/2018
Well, the header does not really apply to the surf break, still a bit intimidating and not much of a difference to yesterday.
Surf yesterday …
… leaving Inge is disbelief
… and surf today, which apparently did not deter the early morning swimmers. From the point on however, it was a much calmer swim across the bay, in beautifully smooth water, and with only a light swell.
The 6am swimmers starting in near complete darkness – how brave they are
with only a small glimmer of light (didn’t get much more for the 7am group)
Some critical observers of the early morning swimmers
Gorgeous Cathy in charge of the birthday present for Sophie
Chris must have been a politician in his earlier life – always smiling when there is a camera around
I wasn’t privy to the topic of conversation, must it must have been very interesting
Dorset in excellent company – with his lovely wife Jenny and charming Henrietta
Pre-swim conversation of the girls …
… and the boys (Brian, seems like you trimmed your waistline a bit since you are swimming and playing tennis)
… and some well-known faces
off to Shelly
Big splashes and lots of hugs for our birthday girl Sophie (HAPPY BIRTHDAY !!!)
Rainer is his usual pose, assisted by Gemma
Happy doublers at Shelly (sorry it came out a bit dark, but you can still recognise all the smiling faces)
I missed John Bond piggy backing Fiona, guess he couldn’t bear the weight for too much longer, here they are again safely on firm ground before heading back home for the last leg.
Final observation
Last Saturday’s blog comments on the new Medibank sponsorship have created a bit of stir. The suggestion that Medibank should better sponsor an organisation like Can Too received various nods of approval from some of our swimmers. I did a bit of homework and studied the latest Annual Report of Can Too, available on their website. Whilst I have no doubt whatsoever about the worthy cause of Can Too (on a side note, as a regular runner I am always bumping into hordes of Can Too runners – they are fun to talk to and to run with), I was surprised though reading through the financial section of their 2017 report: out of total income of $2.8 million (mostly donations and sponsorships), less than $1 million ($984k) has been spent on Cancer Research donations, i.e. only 35 cents of each dollar donated has gone into cancer research. A total of $1.3 million is spent on administration (mostly salaries) and other sales and marketing activities.
Here is the question: Should Medibank join an already very prominent list of big corporate sponsors, including Commonwealth Bank, Optus, and some others, knowing that only approximately 1/3 of each dollar donated goes directly into Cancer research? Or is our much loved B&B, whose functioning solely relies on a big number of volunteers, making > 200 swimmers happy every single day of the year and supporting them in a healthy lifestyle, physically, socially, and emotionally, a more appropriate recipient of a modest donation? The answer is a no-brainer, isn’t it?
Have a nice day
Bernhard
Next 10km badge swim
Next 10km badge opportunity is on Saturday 24 February 2018
Royal Far West
Royal Far West was delighted last year with the response of B&B swimmers to their request for assistance with their activity programs. This year RFW is looking for volunteers to help with their beach games on Wednesday afternoon 3
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14 comments
Cathfish
21/02/2018 at 12:22 pm
Happy birthday to two beautiful mermaids, Sophie and Anna! You both make our mornings brighter x
Inge
21/02/2018 at 12:35 pm
Oooh I like the dark early morning photos Bernhard. It reminds me of Deutschland! Which also reminds me that not tomorrow but the next day our B&B friend Tanja from that far shore will grace us with her presence.
Inge
21/02/2018 at 12:45 pm
Yikes the surf forecast for next Sunday looks like there will be massive waves with massive amounts of energy. Thankfully Saturday looks placid.
Shelley K
21/02/2018 at 2:22 pm
Thanks for that mysteriously lit blog Bernhard, and for the comparative info on Can Too.
Brian is not only slim and trim, he is a man of great generosity and will literally give you the shirt off his back if required for a court appearance!
Elizabeth X
21/02/2018 at 3:05 pm
Hi Bernhard
Thanks for blogging 😊
I haven’t had the chance to look at the CanToo accounts and someone far closer to them will be able to clarify this, but I think I recall seeing that Can Top has a sponsorship with Macquarie Bank Foundation such that Maq bank pay the salary costs so that 100% donatons go to the cause. Required accounting treatment may mean that that sum is treated with other donations making the #s look worse than the reality. Also they primarily fund the research projects of young scientists. So there may be some timing lumpiness that appears because of the accounts being a snapsot at a certain date ie funds maybe ready for dispersal but not yet allocated to projects therefore having the effect of bloating cash reserves. I am pretty sure Can Toos ratios of $ spent on core activities ie ex staff would be better than indicated on that date.
Bernhard
21/02/2018 at 3:19 pm
I am just stating the facts, no assumptions, no speculations, etc. Figures don’t lie. I do know however from my > 20years Head of Finance experience in ASX companies, that people tend to put as much spin to numbers as suits their agenda. Just look at our leaders in politics.
Inge
21/02/2018 at 3:47 pm
Yes but he did buy it in Aldi Shelley.
Elizabeth X
21/02/2018 at 4:35 pm
Yes sadly many of our pollies are untrustworthy. However I think Can Too is a very genuine group. Given my similarly senior corporate experience I know that in some cases accounting standards can make a complex positive situation look negative at first glance. I think Can Too may be one of those instances.
Lara
22/02/2018 at 8:24 am
If you read the Can Too website and are involved in the program what actually happens is that 100% of donations raised by participants goes to funding Cancer research – all admin costs are covered by sponsors. Everyone involved whether it is raising money or sponsoring knows this they are VERY upfront about it.
Obviously as a charity they have to report things the way that everyone else does that makes things look less, but over $19m has been raised for research in 12 years in the programs – this is NOT including corporate sponsors covering admin costs
Matt C
22/02/2018 at 9:07 am
CAN TOOs former CEO also swims with us although may not wish to be involved (or identified) I the discussion so I’ll leave him to comment. Bernard will also be happy to know he is a member of the A Team which should provide for a lively debate 😁
Lainey
22/02/2018 at 4:51 pm
Annie Crawford is the director of Can Too and does not receive a cent nor does her husband Simon. Totally incorrect facts Bernard. Annie is happy to come and speak to us to lay the record straight.
Lainey
22/02/2018 at 5:32 pm
Thank you for setting the record straight Lara. I’ve participated in 11 Can Too Programs and know how tirelessly Annie works completely voluntarily.
annie crawford
22/02/2018 at 10:27 pm
Firstly can I say that the Bold and Beautiful is fantastic. It is a brilliant community group who keep people fit and healthy and socially engaged. I love being part of it and so does Simon- my husband.
It sounds like there may be some confusion about where our money goes. I am really happy to come and speak to the Bold and Beautiful and explain what Can Too is all about and where we direct our fundraising; over 80 percent of which goes to cancer research. I live in Manly so it is really easy for me. It would be a pleasure.
Annie – Founder and Chair Can Too Foundation
Dilemma
23/02/2018 at 9:58 am
Great points Bernhard and good research!