Norman Returning to Oz In Support Of Bushfire Victims

Courtesy of Peter Rolfe
Herald Sun

Golf great Greg Norman and the family of trucking magnate Lindsay Fox are joining forces to bring worldwide attention to the plight of Victoria's Black Saturday fire victims.

Norman will fly into Melbourne from the US next month to raise funds for Victorians who lost loved ones and property in the state's worst natural disaster.

The Great White Shark will be the star attraction of a charity golf day being organised by Fox's son Andrew, head of the Linfox Property Group.

As the 100-day anniversary of the tragedy that claimed 173 lives was marked this week, plans for the celebrity sports day were well advanced.

In February, Norman helped raise additional funds by competing in a nine-hole exhibition in Perth.

A who's who of Australia's celebrities is expected to take part in the day, which is being partly sponsored by the Fox family.

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd will be invited to attend the event at the Commonwealth Golf Club in South Oakleigh on June 28.

Collingwood president Eddie McGuire is assembling a sports group to take part. It is believed to include former tennis stars Todd Woodbridge and Mark Philippoussis.

Mr. Fox said the event was a tribute to those who perished in the disaster as well as a helping hand to those putting their lives back together after the firestorm.

"It's all about raising funds and awareness for the victims of the fires which were a great tragedy," he said. "It's about putting back into the community.

"I'd love to see Kevin Rudd and Greg Norman walking down the fairway together in their polo shirts for a good cause."

Mr. Fox, a close friend of Norman for more than 10 years, said the golf great had been shocked and saddened by the devastation of the fire - particularly in Marysville where 34 people were killed and the town was reduced to ashes.

In May, after PGA golf stars donated $100,000 to bushfire victims, Norman said he was deeply touched by the tragedy.

"My heart goes out to all those who were affected by the fires," he said.

"I'm proud to see how our country has rallied behind the relief efforts."

Mr. Fox and his family had their own brush with fire in 2004 when they had to flee a blaze that engulfed their Toorak home.

Mr. Fox, wife Fiona and their five children and a pet dog escaped as the fire destroyed the two-storey mansion.

"We were lucky to be alive and we lost a lot so I know something of the pain they (the bushfire victims) went through," he said.

"The way Australians have responded to the bushfires has been fantastic."

A spokesman for Mr. Rudd said the Prime Minister responded to all invitations and would consider attending the fundraiser once the offer arrived.