Boat enthusiast, father-of-four and Gold Coast resident Roger Braun has always loved the water.
“I grew up in the ‘burbs of Dandenong before my father, who had a pool construction business, moved the family to Queensland,” he says.
“It was a much better climate and a more interesting landscape.
“Every day when I go for my walk at 5am at Paradise Point, I think how lucky I am.”
Roger, the director of Captain Nemo’s Pool, Spa & Marine, is well known in the local community for his annual fundraiser, Sanctuary Cove’s Live & Local.
This year he’s chosen The Complete Men Foundation, a not-for-profit that inspires men of all ages to reach their potential and be fully present in their own lives and those of their families and communities, as the target of donations.
“They do talks in schools, organise workshops and run programs to support men,” says Roger.
The death of a close friend, as well as his own role as a father, inspired him to choose the foundation as the benefactor of the Live & Local luncheon.
Roger talks fondly of oldest son Jake, a jet ski fan who also does some fundraising; second son Dylan, the head technician at Captain Nemos and a “mad fisherman”; and youngest son Tyler, who enjoys going out on the boats.
“I have one daughter, Mia, who is also crazy about the water,” he says. “You’ll see her out soon on Floaty McBoaty, giving out free gifts to people in partnership with Triple M.”
Behind the scenes, keeping it all together, is Joelle, wife, mother and accountant.
Roger likes to say his business, that has five locations around Brisbane and the Gold Coast, is “35 years young”.
Starting off in Mackay, with pool and boat equipment all under one roof, it’s always been the French-made Zodiac boat range or “brig rigs” that are his real passion.
“As a kid, I watched documentaries about Jacques Cousteau and he was always jumping in a Zodiac,” he says.
Cousteau equipped his explorer, the Calypso, with several of Zodiac’s boats.
Roger says he’s looking forwarding to welcoming Sanctuary Cove residents and guests to Live & Local on December 1, 2023.
Returning as MC will be former St Kilda, Hawthorn and Sydney ruckman Peter ‘Spida’ Everitt, who will lead a celebrated crew of entertainers including Australian country music singer-songwriter and guitarist Lee Kernaghan OAM.
Other guests will include entertainer Robby X, former Australian international cricketer Greg Ritchie and Australian professional rugby league coach Wayne Bennett
The venue will be Sanctuary Cove’s premier Italian restaurant Ioesco presenting a specially curated three-course menu.
This year, says Roger, the luncheon events will have raised more than $100,000 for charity.
Date: December 1, 2023
Time: 12 pm
Cost: $300 per person (all-inclusive)
Location: Ioesco
To purchase email thecove@captainnemos.com.au or phone 5534 1288.