In Tribute, Thanks and in the Hope for Triumph

The Melbourne Outrigger Canoe Club (MOCC) based at Victoria Harbour was formed in 2003 to foster the growth in the traditional Polynesian sport and provide a community for like minded sporting enthusiasts. In April 2009 they will take part in one of their most ambitious paddling adventures to date as they embark on the Crossing for Cancer. Paddling across Bass Strait to Tasmania is a feat never before undertaken in outrigger canoeing history, traversing some of the most beautiful yet wildest coastal wilderness areas in Australia.

MOCC will make up a proportion of the paddlers of the two forty foot long OC6 (six person) canoes to cross Bass Strait as they paddle in earnest and tribute to two amazing men in a worthy plight to raise money and awareness for the Australian Cancer Research Foundation.

The trip pays honour to two absolutely astounding men. Peter Corbishley has built racing outrigger canoes for the past twenty years and has made over 300 OC6 canoes to date many of which are still in use. An impressive 95% of OC6 canoes in Australia today were made by Peter and have also been exported to teams in Germany, Hong Kong, Japan, Tahiti and New Zealand.

For a man who has contributed so much to the sport it came as a devastating blow when last year Peter was diagnosed with Non Hodgkinsons T-Cell Lymphoma, a rare and terminal form of skin cancer. Despite his prognosis, Peter will be part of the team to paddle in the one of the canoes he built as part of this extraordinary adventure. Peter is a shining example and inspiration to all that there is life after diagnosis.

The crossing is also in tribute to Chris Robinson, one of those people that made a significant difference in our world; he fought to protect the oceans from whaling activities, nuclear testing and nuclear waste dumping. He was fearless and committed, living his shortened life to making a difference for mankind, our animals and wildlife and our fragile environment. He sailed to Muraroa Atoll several times in protest at French nuclear testing and was centrally involved in the campaigns that made Greenpeace a household name. Sadly, after a short battle, Chris lost his life to cancer in late 2008

Now it’s up to you, all of us are affected by cancer in some way, today statistics tell us that one out of two people will be affected by cancer and this is your opportunity to make a difference by making your company or individual sponsorship count. Sponsor by the kilometre or sponsor one of the three levels of corporate sponsorship. Cancer doesn’t just affect other people, it can and will affect us all. All donations will be listed on the website and company logo’s can placed on the canoes for the Crossing, don’t lose the opportunity to make a real difference!

For more information follow the project and crew across Bass Strait on
www.crossingforcancer.org Donations can made by direct deposit to: Westpac BSB:734 070 ACC: 680390, or be sent to: “Crossing for Cancer”– C/O Colin Bartly 17 Santavea Mews, Halls Head, W.A 6210