Sport
2 September, 2026
NRL star power for golf day
A CHANCE to rub shoulders with a star-studded line-up of former rugby league players, a day on the golf course and a dinner and auction – with first prize a berth at the NRL grand final in the company of James Tamou – are just some of the highlights of the inaugural Ganyarra RLA charity auction at Innisfail this month.
The full-day fundraising event on Friday 18 September pairs the premium charity golf day with a retro-themed rugby league dinner and auction night with guests including league greats James Tamou, Michael Morgan (above), Jake Granville, Michael Bani, Antonio Winterstein, Alex Glenn, and many more.
The event kicks off at Innisfail Golf Club, with arrival from 10.15am and play running 11am to 3pm.
Played in a relaxed Ambrose format, the golf day welcomes 12 teams and 52 golfers, with tickets priced at $150 per person.
Each team will be joined by a former NRL player and the day includes a fully-catered lunch, all-inclusive drinks and competition prizes.
The evening moves to Innisfail Shire Hall, where pre-dinner drinks begin at 5.30pm and dinner runs from 6pm to 10.30pm.
With a retro rugby league theme, the night promises great food, entertainment and plenty of nostalgia for up to 300 guests.
Tickets are $200 per person or $2000 for a table of 10.
Guests will enjoy player appearances, live interviews and treasured rugby league stories, alongside raffle and auction activity featuring signed jerseys, memorabilia and exclusive experiences.
Fundraising will be delivered through a combination of golf and dinner ticket sales, a major pre-event raffle, an online silent auction opening two weeks before the event, and a live auction on the night.
The live auction will be divided into three themed sections: State of Origin, The 2015 Cowboys versus Broncos grand final and an open auction section.
Items up for auction include a NRL grand final package with James Tamou, an adventure day with Josh Dugan, a tech package, signed retro jerseys, boots, player messages, memorabilia, exclusive rugby league experiences.
Some major auction and raffle announcements are still to come.
Ganyarra Rugby League Academy was launched at the Radiant Life College in Innisfail in June this year as a development pathway aimed at creating success both on and off the field for youngsters from the Far North.
The academy works beyond rugby league development, supporting young people through leadership, cultural connection, well-being and personal growth.
Staff are well known within the rugby league and broader community with Antonio Winterstein as the academy coordinator, James Tamou as coach, Robert Lui, assistant coach, Michael Banin, cultural officer and Joshua Pin as strength and conditioning coach.
The charity auction will have a return bus service available from the Cairns CBD to the Ganyarra charity auction dinner in Innisfail (subject to minimum passenger numbers).
Tickets for the golf day, dinner, and bus service can be purchased at www.observer.s.gy/Jilc0s
Dress code for both the golf day and the dinner is smart casual, and both are an 18+ event.
Read More: Innisfail