Northern Territory Major Events Company
The bonus Charity Fish released for a special Million Dollar Fish event last Sunday has been caught, and the Cancer Council NT is $5,000 better off because of it.
The fish was released at Barramundi Adventures in Berry Springs last week, and 60 lucky fishos won the chance to try and bag it. Although none of them managed to, they did walk away with a heap of other prizes, including a $10,000 Great Northern Breakaway to the Tiwi Islands.
The 80cm barra was finally caught on Thursday by Hayley Palazzi. Hayley and her husband, Aaron Palazzi, were enjoying a day out to celebrate their November birthdays when she caught the tagged barra with her final cast of the day. A keen fisho, Hayley said she hadn't had time to go fishing for a while and they chose Barramundi Adventures because it is close to town and is always an enjoyable and fun place to go.
The northern suburbs resident wins a remote fishing charter, thanks to Barramundi Adventures, while the $5,000 goes to the Million Dollar Fish-affiliated charity of her choice. This is the 10th fish caught in Season 6. There are still 123 tagged fish swimming around in Territory waterways, including seven worth $1 million (once the first Million Dollar Fish is caught the remaining six become $10,000 fish). You must be registered to win. Visit www.milliondollarfish.com.au
As noted by NT Major Events Company CEO, Tim Watsford:
"We were all a bit disappointed last Sunday when the bonus fish wasn't caught, because no one had landed a Charity Fish yet and we love to see our Territory charities benefit from Million Dollar Fish.
"To know $5,000 is on its way to the Cancer Council NT is fantastic. Between the bonus fish being released and caught we also saw another Charity Fish caught, with $2,500 donated to the Starlight Foundation and $2,500 going to the lucky angler. With such a great start to Season 6 we're expecting our 11th tagged fish to be caught any day."
As noted by SportsBet External Affairs Manager, Brad Fanning:
"SportsBet is proud to partner with three Territory charities through the Million Dollar Fish competition, and we are pleased to be able to donate money to Cancer Council NT now this fish is caught.
"Remember, if you catch one of the remaining 19 Charity Fish you receive $2,500 and the Million Dollar Fish-affiliated charity of your choice receives the other half. So make sure you register for the competition!"
As noted by Cancer Council NT CEO, Tanya Izod:
"Cancer Council NT fundraises 83 per cent of our budget every year – and of course in this year of COVID, like many charities, we have experienced massive losses with more than $600,000 alone lost out of our 2020 budget.
"Even in these difficult times, our local community, our volunteers and our staff have shown huge support for the Cancer Council. Every person who fundraises or attends an event, or volunteers on our programs, becomes part of the fabric that supports cancer patients and their families through their treatment.
"A huge thank you to Hayley, who donated this Charity Fish money to the Cancer Council NT. This donation will go directly to funding our 2021 Transport to Treatment program, which provides transport to cancer patients so they can safely attend cancer treatment at Alan Walker Cancer Care Centre and Royal Darwin Hospital."
As noted by Winning Fisho Hayley Palazzi:
"I only registered for Million Dollar Fish on the way out to Barramundi Adventures because my husband, Aaron, thought it would be a good idea, just in case. I've never registered before as I don't get much time to fish these days. I did not for one second expect to catch the tagged barra.
"Aaron landed quite a few different barra throughout the morning, including a tagged barra that won him a Berry Springs Tavern voucher, so our next date night is sorted. I'd only landed a 60cm fish and was just about to say I'd had enough when Aaron said 'have another go'. That's when I caught it. Aaron has been spoiling me all month for my birthday and this trip was part of it – I really have him to thank for teaching me how to fish, which is something we love doing together.
"It was the biggest and last fish of the day, and it really ran with the bait. I'd dropped a few fish earlier and got a bit of stick, so was determined to reel this one in. Everyone was so excited when they saw the tag. I'm delighted such a great end to a great day sees the Cancer Council NT benefit. They do amazing work and it's fantastic that the money will stay in the Territory. I'm excited I now get to go on a fishing charter and have a chance at the $1 million dollar fish!"
