Sunbus Steers Support Towards Garbutt Magpies
Kinetic’s regional Queensland bus operation Sunbus has today unveiled a striking exterior bus ‘wrap’ design to launch a new partnership with Townsville’s the Garbutt Magpies aimed at kicking goals on and off the field.
The art piece by Gavin Kum Sing will adorn the Sunbus vehicle as a ‘moving billboard’ supporting the sporting and cultural association and its important role in the community.
As part of the partnership, Sunbus will sponsor the Garbutt Magpies (men’s and women’s) entry into the 2021 AFL Townsville competition, provide transport services and support the club’s other community activities.
As well as AFL, NRL, cricket and netball, the Garbutt Magpies have a focus on introducing past intergenerational role models to new generations, providing young local kids with role models to aspire to.
Garbutt Magpies past player Randal Ross said: “It is important to link our future generation with a home-grown community sports club such as Garbutt Magpies which has achieved so much since 1955.”
“We must link our children with Elders of our community so young people know that there are people who care and love them, and with Sunbus’s support it will create opportunities for our younger generation to become future role models of Townsville”.
Francis Tapim Snr, Elder and Garbutt Magpie stalwart said: “We are proud to have Sunbus take the initiative to be a sponsor for the Garbutt Magpies sporting and cultural Association. We are honoured and proud and look forward to working closely with Sunbus as our sponsor.”
Garbutt Magpie Director Leah Wacando-Pitt says: “I am amazed to see such financial support from Sunbus which will pave the way to allow change to happen in the lives of young people and the community”
Sunbus Townsville manager Matthew Blackman said Sunbus was proud to formalise its support for the Garbutt Magpies.
“The strong cultural and sporting pathways they provide the next generation of leaders in our community is incredible and we will do all that we can to ensure they can continue and build on this positive influence,” Mr Blackman says.
As part of NAIDOC Week, the Garbutt Magpies will hold an official smoking ceremony at Magpie Park at 11am on Friday 13 November attended by Elders and other members as the bus takes its maiden passenger voyage.