40 Years Below Fundraiser Success

July 2, 2026

A Fantastic Night – 40 Years Below by Roger Lusby – Thank You for Your Support!

What a wonderful evening we shared at our 40 Years Below by Roger Lusby, a Brook Waimārama Sanctuary Fundraiser.

We are incredibly grateful to everyone who attended and helped make the event such a success. With more than 110 people joining us for the evening, the atmosphere was filled with enthusiasm, generosity, and a shared passion for protecting our native wildlife.

Thanks to the incredible support through ticket purchases and raffle sales, we are delighted to announce that $3,631.64 was raised for Brook Waimārama Sanctuary. Every dollar will help support our ongoing conservation work and the protection of our precious native species.

A very special thank you goes to Roger Lusby for generously giving his time to share the remarkable story of his journey to Antarctica. Fifty-five years ago, a young man from Roxburgh headed south — further south than most people ever go. Roger spent the year 1969–70 wintering over at Scott Base, Antarctica, as a base mechanic as part of Operation Deep Freeze. It was a year of extraordinary isolation, brutal conditions, and rare beauty — an experience that has stayed with him ever since. His captivating stories of life in one of the world’s most remote and challenging environments made for a memorable evening.

Roger’s generosity extends well beyond sharing his experiences. Through his presentations, he has raised more than $20,000 for charities and community organisations across the region. His ongoing commitment to supporting local causes is truly inspiring, and we are incredibly grateful for his contribution to Brook Waimārama Sanctuary.

We also extend our sincere thanks to The Boathouse for being such wonderful hosts and providing the perfect venue for the event.

Finally, a heartfelt thank you to all of the volunteers who worked tirelessly behind the scenes to organise and deliver such a successful evening. From planning and setup to welcoming guests and selling raffle tickets, your dedication made the event possible. We couldn’t have done it without you.

We are also incredibly thankful to the generous businesses and supporters who donated raffle prizes and helped make the night extra special:

Your generosity helped create an exciting raffle while directly supporting conservation in our community.

Finally, thank you to everyone who came along, bought tickets, entered the raffle, and continues to champion Brook Waimārama Sanctuary. Your support makes a real difference, and together we’re helping ensure our sanctuary continues to thrive for generations to come.

We look forward to seeing you at our next community event!