News

Cold fundraiser warms hearts

By Bree Harding

Jul 29, 2026

Mel Cruickshanks prepares to be dunked in her Tic Tac outfit. Photo by Prue Peters Photography

While the weather was warm enough for many a spectator to choose short-sleeved attire, the winter sun made it no more pleasant for the 16 people being dunked in an ice-cold tank of water for charity.

Elena Demaria lost her creative Tic Tac costume in the tank when she was dunked. Photo by Prue Peters Photography

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The third annual Big Dunk, a fundraiser for motor neurone disease on July 19, honoured the memory of Shepparton’s Karen Gladigau at Mooroopna Recreation Reserve, following seven games of football staged there on the day.

Jim Gow dressed as Jack Skellington for the occasion. Photo by Prue Peters Photography

While a final total hasn’t yet been tallied, organisers say this year’s event has raised more than $10,000, surpassing last year’s $9500 total.

“I’m incredibly lucky to have so many amazing friends and to be part of such a beautiful community,” Karen’s husband Dean Gladigau said.

“The day was so special.

“Karen would have been incredibly proud, yet, in true Karen fashion, she would have been extremely embarrassed to be the centre of attention.”

Elise Walton celebrates dunking her brother Jim Gow on her first try at hitting the target with her handballed football. Photo by Prue Peters Photography

The event was instigated by Mooroopna Junior Football Club’s Michelle Marsters (and Karen’s friend) after Karen died of MND in February 2024.

Michelle Marsters from the Mooroopna Junior Football Club, and one of the organisers, welcomes the crowd to the event. Photo by Prue Peters Photography

Michelle modelled the concept on the AFL’s Big Freeze event, and brought it together with her club and Karen’s former workplace, the Shepparton Women’s Health Centre, along with Dean and support from other league clubs and local businesses and service clubs.

Dunkees dressed up in drip for their drops, with costumes from giant homemade Tic-Tac containers to local and national football stars, and movie and gaming characters, including Toy Story’s Sheriff Woody, Super Mario Bros.’ Mario and The Nightmare Before Christmas’ Jack Skellington, among others.

Mitchell Gladigau emerges from the tank after being dunked by his dad, Dean Gladigau. Photo by Prue Peters Photography

One of Karen and Dean’s two sons, Mitchell Gladigau, stepped up to the dunk tank dressed as fictional boxer Rocky Balboa, before his dad hit the target on his first handball of the footy sending him quickly to the icy depths.