DEEP BONDS are formed in regional precincts fostering a strong sense of community which is evident by local businesses getting behind the visit of a legendary athlete to Kingaroy.

Hundreds of people will attend Dinner with Deek to hear Robert de Castella’s keynote speech Winning the marathon of life: exercise and healthy ageing at Orana Lutheran Complex on Friday November 25.

Australia’s greatest ever marathon runner Rob de Castella said the dinner would bind businesses and the community together through promoting healthy ageing and sport.

“Sport provides the fabric that holds communities together, instills good values and principles in participants from a young age which they can then carry all the way through their lives,” he said.

“It’s critical a small community works together to overcome the trials and tribulations of life.”

Robert de Castella set the world record in 1981, became Australia’s first Track and Field World Champion in 1983, won two Commonwealth Games marathons in 1982 and 1986 and dominated the event worldwide for most of the 1980s.

Rob has such a strong focus on regional communities recently leading 11 Indigenous athletes to compete against 45,000 other runners in 2011 New York City Marathon on 6 November.  

Kingaroy Chamber of Commerce President Rod Steele said businesses and community members in regional centres need to get behind events like this.  

“Local businesses and regional centres don't get drawcards like Rob coming to town often and we need to get behind this event as a community to support Orana and show we have a focus on the elderly and health which is important to everybody."

Rotary Club past president Lloyd Hooper said creating healthy communities in places like the South Burnett region and specifically Kingaroy has been of strong interest to them.

“We are very focused on community projects and it’s important to focus on our own regional precincts,” he said.

“We want to get behind aged care facilities and help put an emphasis on healthy ageing.

“It’s important local businesses are supportive of facilities that do exist and help them improve and provide better services.”

Local primary health care organisation RHealth Chair Dr Ross Hetherington said the company was getting ready to welcome Robert de Castella.

”RHealth recognises exercise should be an important part of everyone’s lifestyle, along with a balanced diet and regular visits to your GP,” he said.

”Rob’s involvement in this event is a great reminder that an active life can be a long life.”

Pharmacy Essentials Kingaroy owner Barry Lonsdale said health care is extremely important to the local community especially for the ageing population to experience better outcomes through preventative measures. 

“As pharmacists, we are involved in looking after the elderly population and this event informs older Australians on how to be proactive and look after themselves,” he said.

Flavour Creations national business manager Craig Llewellyn has a strong focus on supporting the growth of regional communities and therefore sees the dinner as a perfect opportunity to get behind healthy ageing.

“Regional Communities make up approximately 20 per cent of Queensland’s population and continue to grow especially with the current resource boom in Australia,” he said.

“With our ever ageing population, it has become more important to support regional communities like Kingaroy with a long-term focus on the quality of life.”   

Orana General Manager Richard Fahy said the dinner will kick off from 6.30pm and feature a banquet meal, lucky door prizes, raffles and live entertainment for 20 tables of 10 guests. Some tickets are still available.

“The fun will then continue into the next morning from 7am with a bustling community market at Orana on November 26.”

General seating at the dinner costs $38.50 per person or $352 for a table of 10.  Telephone Richard Fahy at Orana on (07) 4162 6555 to make a booking.

Further information: Lara Caughey (07) 3512 7233

Images: Lorena Gonzalez (07) 3511 4016