Sydney’s globally renowned Bondi Icebergs will be part of the FightMND’s annual Big Freeze fundraiser for the first time ever this Queen’s Birthday long-weekend, with the most spectacular beachfront pool in the world set to stage a special Icebergs Celebrity Challenge. 

The famous Icebergs pool, which is located at the southern end of Bondi Beach, has been the home of winter swimming since 1929. On Monday 14 June it will stage the ultimate FightMND icy challenge as Melbourne’s Jack Viney, Collingwood’s Jeremy Howe and Channel 7 Weekend Sunrise host Matt Doran, go head-to-head to see who can spend the longest amount of time in the chilly Icebergs pool in a kayak filled with ice.  

The Sydney Icebergs FightMND Icebergs Challenge will be hosted by Sydney Swans legend Jude Bolton. The Challenge will be screened as part of the blockbuster AFL Round 13 Queen’s Birthday holiday match between Melbourne and Collingwood, at the Sydney Cricket Ground, the culmination of a bumper weekend in Sydney. 

NSW Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney Stuart Ayres said: “We are thrilled to host this incredible AFL match and FightMND’s Big Freeze in Sydney this Queen’s Birthday holiday. What better way to put a Sydney spin on the Big Freeze than an Icebergs Challenge at the home of winter swimming, Bondi Icebergs, overlooking beautiful Bondi Beach,” Mr Ayres said. 

“Sydney is the place to be this Queen’s Birthday long weekend. I encourage locals to book a ticket to the Big Freeze match at the SCG and purchase a blue FightMND beanie supporting a truly worthwhile cause. Even if you’re in regional NSW or interstate, you can tune into the game on Seven and use the long weekend to plan and book your own blockbuster Sydney getaway,” he said. 

‘Play On ‘with Big Freeze, now in its seventh season, will transform the SCG into a sea of blue beanies on Monday afternoon, shining a light on AFL legend Neale Daniher and his fight against motor neurone disease. Daniher and the FightMND team have led the way in raising funds and awareness since 2014, committing more than $45 million to research initiatives. 
 

Gary Pert, Melbourne Football Club CEO added: “The Big Freeze is an incredibly important match on the football calendar.  One of the elements that makes the Queen’s Birthday game such a blockbuster is the crowd that it draws each year - so it was important that we explored all options to ensure that energy around the game continued. 
 
“We are pleased that by moving the game to the SCG that Sydneysiders and our interstate members will have the opportunity to experience the excitement of the Big Freeze and play their role in supporting the fight against MND.” 

FightMND Campaign Director, Bec Daniher said: "FightMND has set a goal to raise an additional $2-million before half-time of the Big Freeze match on Monday. We encourage everyone in NSW to help us reach this target. Donate or buy a beanie at fightmnd.org.au or pick up a beanie from Coles, Coles Express or Bunnings. 

"FightMND is pleased to bring our Big Freeze message to the people of NSW. Our goal is to freeze MND and provide hope for families living with MND. Please buy a beanie or make a donation and help us 'beat the Beast' that is MND." 

Fans can tune into to watch all the action from the Bondi Icebergs Challenge in the official Big Freeze pre-match broadcast from 2pm (AEST) on the Seven Network nationally, with additional coverage on FOX FOOTY and live steam via Kayo from 2pm (AEST). 

BOOK A BLOCKBUSTER GETAWAY TO SYDNEY THIS QUEEN’S BIRTHDAY LONG WEEKEND 

There has never been a better time to book a trip to Sydney. From the buzzing nightlife at Sydney Solstice to the bright lights of Vivid Sydney, here are 10 Sydney winter getaway ideas to energise and excite you: 

• Experience Sydney’s dynamic and diverse night-time economy through Sydney Solstice. From 8-20 June, four local precincts including the CBD, Darling Harbour, Oxford Street and Newtown will feature more than 200 events, celebrating the city’s outstanding music, food, drink, arts and culture offerings.  

• Journey through an extraordinary playground of the unexpected at Vivid Sydney 2021. From Friday 6 August to Saturday 28 August, Sydney will be transformed into a mesmerising kaleidoscope of light, music and ideas with more than 200 events celebrating diversity, resilience, Aboriginal culture and vibrant creative community.  

• Discover the laidback beach lifestyle of Bondi. Stay at the chic QT Bondi situated just five minutes’ walk from the sandy shores, dine at Panama House on Latin-American fare, and at the iconic Bondi Icebergs clubhouse, take in some of Sydney’s best beachside views overlooking the historic pool. 

• Be wow-ed at Sydney’s iconic theatres and galleries. Musical lovers can take a seat at the Sydney Lyric Theatre to experience Australia’s first performance of the record-breaking musical Hamilton. While art lovers can stroll through the Art Gallery of New South Wales (AGNSW) to view its newest exhibition - Hilma af Klint: The Secret Paintings.  

• See the things that make Sydney famous. Scale the Sydney Harbour Bridge from a new perspective with BridgeClimb’s The Burrawa Climb. Keep things serene with a Sydney Harbour kayak tour with OzPaddle, then pop ashore to unearth the magic beneath the sails with a Sydney Opera House behind-the-scenes tour. 
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• Indulge in world-class dining. Brand new to Sydney’s Circular Quay is Hinchcliff House – encompassing four new venues in a refurbished wool store: all-day Italian diner Grana on the ground floor, lively restaurant Lana on the first floor, basement cocktail den Apollonia, and Hinchcliff House Events on the top floor. Japan’s finest comes to Barangaroo with Sydney’s very own outpost of Nobu and at Ezra in Potts Point find Israeli fare with contemporary flair. 

• Rediscover that holiday feeling at luxe new hotels. Luxury comes with ultimate views at Barangaroo’s brand new Crown Sydney, in the heart of the city A by Adina puts a modern spin on apartment hotels and newcomer to the CBD, Skye Suites, offers architectural wonder with two-bedroom suites and kitchen facilities. 

• Get to know the city on foot. Gain some insight into the history of Sydney’s buildings on an architectural tour with Splendour Tailored Tours, or capture iconic shots of the city on a walking photography tour with Picture Me Sydney. 

• Cocktails and dreams, Sydney style. In Barangaroo, slip upstairs to sleek rooftop bar Smoke, at Sydney’s highest cocktail lounge, Bar 83, soar high above the city CBD on the 83rd floor of Sydney Tower and at the opulent Maybe Sammy enjoy some of the world’s top cocktails. 

• Decadent day tripping. Soar above the clouds with Sydney Seaplanes, indulge in a gourmet lunch package following a scenic flight that takes in Sydney's famous Harbour, Eastern Beaches, Northern Beaches, and the beautiful Hawkesbury River. 

For more information, visit www.sydney.com.