When Dungog Rotary president Bev Irwin passed the Dave Sands Memorial on her way out of town a few years ago, she was overcome with sadness.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The memorial to the renowned boxer on Chichester Road was in such a state of disrepair she took the idea for a new project to her Rotary colleagues.
"I don't travel that way very much and I noticed how bad it looked," she said.
"It's quite derelict."
Rotary immediately got on board and a development application was subsequently lodged with the council to refurbish the monument.
The memorial was erected by Apex in memory of Dave Sands, widely regarded as one of the best boxers never to win a world title, who died at age 26 in a truck accident nearby in 1952.
Meanwhile Susan Carroll and her daughter Kay McBride who several years ago moved in to the property opposite the memorial, regularly clear up around what they originally thought was a bus stop.
They offered to help build the funds for Rotary's project to restore the memorial by hosting a fundraiser at their home - 564 Chichester Dam Road - on November 16 from 3-8pm.
Offering a helping hand has seen the Dillon family, the Dowling family, Brian Simpson, Bruce Read, Rotary members and many others help the fundraiser take off.
"Let's roll it back, to remind us who Dave Sands was and just why he has three memorials to honour him as a man and a boxer," said Bruce Read.
"Dave Sands won Australian and Commonwealth championships in boxing and was regarded as the greatest boxer never to be a world champion.
"That's why he is honoured as a boxer but also as a man. Dave was remembered as a humble gentleman. The most popular sporting personality of his era, his death saw an outpouring of mourning."
Dave was survived by his wife Bessie and four children. The fundraiser has peaked the interest of his family and many will attend.
Boxing also remembers the man who was admitted to the World Boxing Hall of Fame in 1998. Daniel Geale has sent his champion's belt along to the event with signed gloves for the auction.
Fellow indigenous boxer Dave Landers spoke with such respect for Dave Sands that his daughter, Leona is coming from Canberra to the event .
A donation of $25 will see attendees enjoy a two course meal along with a trivia competition, raffles and an auction. Sands' grandson Chad will give a glimpse of his grandfather's achievements during dinner.
More information from 0417 427 503.
