Largs Bay mariner gives $10,000 to charity
19 December 2006
Quentin Williams, a tug-boat operator from Largs Bay, is celebrating Christmas more than most this year – he’s $10,000 richer and is sharing the Christmas spirit around by donating $10,000 to the Guide Dogs of SA.
Quentin’s name was drawn from more than 30,000 entries to win "the feeling is mutual" competition being run by Abacus – Australian Mutuals, the association of credit unions and mutual building societies across Australia.
The competition encouraged members to think about the mutual benefit they bring each other by belonging to a credit union. At credit unions, profits are returned to members through lower fees and better service, rather than paid out to external shareholders like the banks.
Quentin, 42, has been a merchant seaman for 26 years and a member of the Maritime Workers Credit Union for almost 25 years.
“I thought it was a prank call from one of my workmates at first,” he said. “But thinking of a worthwhile charity to share the prize with was easy. I could think of nothing worse than losing my sight, and the Guide Dogs do such a great job.”
It costs around $25,000 to train to train each guide dog in South Australia.
And for Quentin himself, the prize means that taking his wife home to visit family in The Philippines next year will be so much easier.
For more information:
Julie Sheather
Senior Adviser – Media & Public Affairs
(02) 8299 9024; (0409) 514 643
