Clive Palmer at the Bendigo Stadium yesterday. Picture: Julie Hough
MINING magnate Clive Palmer says he will "absolutely" honour his challenge with the City of Greater Bendigo's mayor and wear the Bendigo Spirit's colours in Townsville.
Mr Palmer answered a social media campaign for him to attend the WNBL grand final at Bendigo Stadium yesterday and confirmed he would take up Cr Lisa Ruffell's challenge.
Cr Ruffell offered to make Mr Palmer Bendigo's mayor for a day if Townsville won, but after Bendigo's 71-57 triumph he'll wear Spirit colours instead.
With Townsville trailing by five points at half-time, Mr Palmer was still feeling confident the Fire would win when he made the commitment.
"Absolutely, but I don't think that will be a necessity," Mr Palmer said of wearing Spirit colours. "I'm looking forward to getting the mayoral robes so, you know, perhaps she can send them up to Queensland."
Mr Palmer, Townville's major sponsor, said he attended yesterday's match because of the campaign started by the Fire, which was joined by the Bendigo Advertiser.
"That's the only reason I came down was because of your articles and the social media campaign otherwise I wouldn't be here," he said.
"It's a good day for all of Australia, because you've got two regional areas showing people that the whole country doesn't exist in Western Sydney or in Toorak.
"So all Australians should be happy we've got two relatively new teams playing in the final."
Mr Palmer has previously been to Bendigo with his father George to look at the city's mining heritage.
"I used to live in Williamstown my first nine years of my life. My dad took me up when I was about eight to look at some of the old gold workings, you know," he said.
"It's a bit of Australia's history, you know. Bendigo's played an important role in the development of Australia, though, people don't appreciate that."
Mr Palmer is a big supporter of women's sport and enjoyed yesterday's atmosphere.