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Senior executives from Sydney's property industry, led by Ambassadors Richard Grellman AM and 1978 World Surfing Champion Wayne 'Rabbit' Bartholomew AM, hit Bondi Beach last Friday, 25 November to raise awareness about dementia risk reduction, as part of Wipeout Dementia.

The Wipeout Dementia program culminated in a contest, where participants competed in a tag team Surf Off and raised $60,000 for The Dementia Momentum, an initiative of the Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing (CHeBA).

The fourth campaign – with major sponsors Morgans and Kennards Hire – built upon Wipeout Dementia’s former success and set the benchmark for other industries to get on board said Spokesman for The Dementia Momentum Mr Grellman, Chairman of IPH Limited and AMP Foundation and former Chairman of The Association of Surfing Professionals (International) Limited.

Mr Grellman extended particular thanks to Director of Avenor, Peter Clemesha and Managing Director of Colliers International, Peter Chittenden, for promoting this event and leading a new wave of support for the campaign.

“Our dream has always been that the Wipeout Dementia concept will be so attractive that there will be contests between different sectors, at different beaches and perhaps even in different States.”

“As the husband of a dear girl suffering very advanced young onset Alzheimer’s disease my hope is that firstly, on the back of Wipeout Dementia, the broader community realises that this is a serious economic issue and secondly, that more people get involved to help with fundraising to support CHeBA’s research,” he said.

Peter Clemesha said he was really happy to be involved and that he intended for this to be an annual event across the property industry.

“It’s a terrific event and a lot of fun for the property surfers but it’s also much needed support for CHeBA and we are really stoked to be involved,” said Mr Clemesha. 

Despite the 1978 World Surfing Champion positioned on a different team, it was Rodgers’ Forget Me Nots, led by captain Craig Rodgers of Charter Hall who took the inaugural property industry winning team title, leaving Clemo’s Diehard surfers captained by Peter Clemesha and Phil’s Goats led by Director of Bates Smart, Philip Vivian ready for the re-match in 2017.

It was a jaw-dropping wave with a score of 9.5 that won Nick Ebrill of Charter Hall ‘Wave of the Day’ with Philip Vivian the next nearest contender with a wave score of 7.  John Morgan from CTE Investments took out the almighty ‘Best Wipeout’ award.

The prestigious ‘Gnarly Award’, a Mark Richards replica twin fin surfboard was awarded to Mark Gross, two time surfer in Wipeout Dementia and Executive Director at Morgans.  In an extraordinary display of commitment to the cause Mr Gross has personally raised over $16,000 while bringing the company on board as major sponsor in both the May and November 2016 events.

Special thanks also go to Peter Clemesha, Phill Wicks, Philip Vivian and Guy Lake and who were the other top fundraisers.

Second time major sponsor and surfing participant Andy Kennard, founder of Kennards Hire, said that he hoped to participate in Wipeout Dementia for as long as he can.

Ray White Commercial demonstrated their commitment as secondary sponsors of the November 2016 event, with both CEO Dan White and Managing Director Jeff Moxham surfing. Mr Moxham said he was delighted to be involved and was looking forward to the contest again next year.

The event was attended by CHeBA Co-Director Professor Henry Brodaty who expressed his appreciation to all participants, Ambassadors and volunteers at the event.

“The mission for CHeBA is to promote exercise as a part of everyday life to prevent cognitive decline, prevent Alzheimer’s disease and to prevent other dementias,” said Professor Brodaty.

This fundraising event is held in honour of Richard’s wife Suellen, who has advanced young onset Alzheimer’s disease and has been in High Care since December 2015.

Morgans and Kennards Hire were the major sponsors for the inaugural property industry Wipeout Dementia November 2016. Wipeout Dementia’s secondary sponsors were Colliers and Ray White Commercial.  Hurley and The Bucket List provided in-kind support.

To make a last chance donation to one of the Wipeout Dementia participants .

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Media enquiries: Heidi Douglass, h.douglass@unsw.edu.au | +61 435 579 202, +61 2 9382 3398