Max Ogilvie and a group of daring community members took the plunge for FightMND at Tindarra Resort in Moama on Sunday, June 15.
With a low of 2ºC overnight, the waters had been primed for an icy morning wake-up.
“I don’t know what was in the water that morning, but it was rough,” Mr Ogilvie said.
“But the event went well. I think people were happy with the food and the coffee and everything like that.”
About 125 people attended the Big Freeze event and Mr Ogilvie was joined by the Lee family, close friends and local support in the pool.
“It’s hard to get people out of their comfort zones to hop in cold water on a winter’s morning, so I appreciate anyone who does,” Mr Ogilvie said.
While the final numbers are yet to be calculated, Mr Ogilvie estimates the event raised about $7500 for FightMND, a leading motor neurone disease charity.
Looking ahead, he hopes to continue growing the event and said he had been approached by others who were keen to get involved next year.
Mr Ogilvie said he began preparing for the event around February and would look to form a committee in the lead-up to it.
“Hopefully it’s bigger next year and every year gets a bit more people involved. It’ll be the fourth year, so people should know that it’s happening now,” he said.
“I appreciate every single person that gets out of their comfort zone, even to come to an event on a winter’s morning, so I just want to say thank you to everyone that did come.”