Before this week, Casey Iorns was the owner of one dodgy, leaking dinghy.
But as of 10am on Monday, the Motueka local’s fleet has doubled in size, and improved immensely in quality, after the phone call announcing him the winner of Huia’s $50,000 boat raffle.
Casey has suddenly found himself the owner of the brand new Stabicraft 1450 Frontier boat package, complete with a trailer, 50 horsepower outboard, and Garmin GPS.
He had purchased a ticket as soon as the raffle opened a month ago, and although he had meant to buy more entries before last week’s closing date, it turns out that his solo ticket was all it took. It was lucky number 36, electronically drawn out of 1645 tickets sold, which in turn means that more than $100,000 was raised towards Huia’s project for new clubrooms.
The boat was partially sponsored by Bays Boating, and owner Dave Thorn says the process had been an exciting one.
A Huia Old Boy himself, Dave says the raffle was about “the greater good” of getting the clubrooms built.
Twenty-year-old Casey was born and raised in Motueka and plays for the Huia second division team. He first slipped on the green jersey when he was four years old, and so the clubroom cause is one that is dear to his heart.
Although he loves to be out on the water, he has had to rely on the generosity of his father Dion, who was quick to point out that perhaps some past boating favours could now be returned. Casey seemed to be on-board with these sentiments, saying that he was looking forward to taking friends and family out on the water.
He must also figure out what to name his new craft – “Won Me” was one suggestion, requiring a single letter change on the boat’s current messaging. “Huia” was, of course, another.
Casey wasn’t committing to anything when he picked up the boat on Monday, but the builder did say he would be putting up his hand to help construct the new Huia clubrooms, which the organising committee hopes will commence next year.
At that point, the project will need all hands on deck.
