The Golf Life Tours / Swim Vietnam / Vietnam Swans motorbike that raised $3,100 for Swim Vietnam at the Swannies’ 2012 AFL Grand Final party in Saigon. Photos, left, Phil Jordan. Right, the woman with the winning bid, Louise. Photos by Ross McRae.

[UPDATE: In Hanoi, an additional $500 (exact figure to be advised) was also raised for Swim Vietnam.]

The Vietnam Swans are delighted to confirm that our Grand Final Party in Saigon raised USD3,365 for Swim Vietnam.

As you will be aware, more children die from drowning than road accidents in Vietnam and Swim Vietnam is the main charity supported by the Vietnam Swans.

Swannie, Phil Jordan – who, incidentally, was a founding member of the Lao Elephants – has just established a new business, Golf Life Tours.

Golf Life Tours’ objective is to guide its clients through the top golf courses of Vietnam providing insight and access to all the cultural experiences not achievable from a standard holiday.

As Golf Life Tours’ target market will come from outside Vietnam, Phil will, unfortunately, shift his base from HCMC to Melbourne removing his need for a motorbike here.

Brainwave! Give the bike a once over in Swannies’ colours and then auction it for Swim Vietnam! And he did.

The seat was reupholstered in Swannies’ colours and the bike was given a spanking paint job which included the logos of Swim Vietnam, Golf Life Tours and the Swannies. The amazing work was done by Pat from Saigon Scooters who Phil cannot recommend highly enough.

Once the Sydney Swans had finished their work on the MCG, auctioneer Shannon Leahy got to work. All sorts of amazing jumpers were auctioned including jumpers signed by Official AFL Legends Alex Jesaulenko and Barry Cable – and then, it was time for the motorbike.

Bidding was strong before finally, at $3,100, Shannon called, “Going once. Going twice… Do we have any new bids…? Sold to Louise for $3,300! Congratulations, Louise! Thank you to Phil Jordan and Golf Life Tours for donating such an amazing bike to such a great cause. Swim Vietnam will really be able to make a difference with this money. Congratulations again to Louise!”

Auctioneer, Shannon Leahy, hands over the Gerard Neesham-signed Fremantle jumper to Daniel for $265. Photo, Ross McRae.

The silent auctions included a Fremantle jumper signed by Freo’s inaugural coach, Gerard Neesham. Daniel successfully bid $265 and this money will also be donated to Swim Vietnam.

So, the grand total netted for Swim Vietnam on the  day was $3,365. A magnificent achievement.

Interestingly, the Fremantle jumper, together with a West Coast jumper, was donated to the Vietnam Swans last year by Gerard Neesham’s niece, Jo (who lives in Saigon) subject to the money raised being donated to charity.

The West Coast Eagles jumper was auctioned last year at the Inaugural Swing to Swim Charity Golf Day at Montgomerie Links, which is co hosted by the Vietnam Swans.

The jumper raised an amazing $1,200 which took the sum total raised that day to $25,000. All proceeds were donated to Swim Vietnam and Swim Safe (click here for full story). How much will we raise at next year’s 3rd Annual Swing to Swim on 23 March??

Jo says that Gerard is interested in the idea of visiting Vietnam next year. He is particularly interested in the organisations supported by the Swannies, namely Swim Vietnam and the Centre for the Protection of Children in Vung Tau and Long Hai. Gerard’s interests in these organisations is not surprising given his background. As well as being a footballer and coach, Gerard founded the Clontarf Foundation*.

“The Clontarf Foundation Football Academy (in Western Australia) was established in 2000. The program goes well beyond just football training and school attendance. It teaches young Indigenous men good sportsmanship and healthy lifestyle practices, and helps students to find employment or further education” (click here for further information).

Back to the auctions and raffles, who happened to win the plum prize in the raffles – the two return air tickets to Dubai with Emirates Airlines? Fittingly, it was Jo.

Which airline has already said that it would like to know more about the 2013 Swing to Swim Charity Golf Day? Emirates Airlines.

The Vietnam Swans would like to thank, most sincerely, Phil Jordan and Golf Life Tours; Pat and Saigon Scooters; Gerard Neesham and Jo: Emirates Airlines; and the two successful bidders, Louise and Daniel.

* Rough start but Jetta sees a dream finish. Peter Kogoy, The Australian, 28 September 2012. “LEWIS Jetta credits meeting Ross Kelly and Gerard Neesham from the Clontarf Foundation at a barbecue after a game of football in Bunbury five years ago for helping turn around his life. “