U.G.L.Y. GIRLS: Kerry Barnard from the Imperial Hotel Tamworth and Toni Hardy from The Longyard are hoping to raise plenty of money for the Leukaemia Foundation's U.G.L.Y. fundraiser. Photo: Geoff O’Neill 021012GOC01
BARTENDERS across the region will let their U.G.L.Y side show, in the hope they will be named bartender of the year.
Looks and personality aside, U.G.L.Y contradictorily stands for “understanding, generous, likeable you” and will see pubs in the Tamworth area battle it out as part of the Leukaemia Foundation’s quirky fundraising event.
Kerry Barnard from the Imperial Hotel in Tamworth was last year’s NSW and ACT winner, a feat she hopes to repeat this year.
Each bartender involved admits that wearing the crown comes second to that of the cause – raising the necessary funds to assist regional families impacted by leukaemia,
lymphoma. myeloma and other related blood disorders.
Throughout the month of October, these bartenders will each host their own special fundraising events.
Kerry will hold a girls’ night in at the Brown Fox Lounge at the end of the month along with raffles and a car wash in the Impy car park.
“I raised $5340 last year. I’m hoping to top that this year but I’m not sure if I can back up the title. I really hope I can though, I have a few things up my sleeve,” Kerry said.
The Longyard’s Toni Hardy said this year would be her first, but the cause was close to her heart.
“We had a family friend who died from leukaemia years ago, so I was keen to get involved,” Toni said.
“We will hold fundraisers throughout the month but our big event will be a family fun day at The Longyard on the last Sunday in October. I think that if we (the Tamworth pubs) all support each other, Tamworth should raise a fair bit of money for the cause.”
The event is open to all bartenders in NSW and ACT and 186 bartenders are expected to be involved. The highest fundraiser wins the title.
The Leukaemia Foundation receives no ongoing government funding and relies on community support.
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Participants from the Northern region include Damien Smith from the Australian Hotel, Renae Strickland from the Boggabri RSL Memorial Club and Courtney West from the Clubhouse Hotel, Gunnedah.
Mark Wakefield from the Courthouse Hotel is also competing with Rebecca Tuck from the Empire Hotel, Toni Hardy from The Family Hotel and Keith Ashenden from the Gravesend Hotel.
Harry McIlwain from the Great Central Hotel joins Kim Morrison from the Gunnedah Hotel, along with Jamie Cassin from the Hermidale Hotel.
Kerry Barnard from the Imperial Hotel Tamworth is the reigning NSW/ACT U.G.L.Y. bartender, competing against Melissa Booby from the Kootingal Bowling Club.
The competition also includes Toni Hardy from the Longyard Hotel, Karen Dummett from the Moree Services Club, Sheryllee Ferris from the Railway Tavern and Madeline Evans from the Royal Hotel, Moree.
Alissa Grimson is entered from the Royal Hotel Tenterfield, Adrian Bennett represents the Royal Hotel, Warialda, Wayne Broughton from the The Albert Hotel and Toni Hardy from The Goodies in Tamworth. The Royal Hotel Spring Ridge has bartender Nathan McCarthy competing against Paul Hoenger from the Thunderbolt Inn Hotel along with Richard Towse from Tingha Royal Hotel.
Sandra Bushby from the Tourist Hotel is entered along with Ed Hahn from the White Bull and Stacey Hedges from the Wilga Hotel.