REGIONAL FUNDRAISING

In 2023, regional towns led by our Area Managers collectively raised $4,598,340. Congratulations to our new Area Manager in Condah, Carolyn, who helped the town to double last year’s total and raised $31,402, an incredible achievement from a town with a population of 108! We are so grateful to our Area Managers who generously lead and coordinate all fundraising activities in local areas, as well as the huge number of regional businesses and organisations, families and individuals who get involved across the state and beyond.

Here are just a few highlights:

The Torquay Lions Club this year raised an incredible $41,975! Area Manager Peter McMahon said the club had already passed its original goal at 10am with $35,000 and had more than tripled last year’s figure by the end of the day. “Our local community is very generous, and support from Torquay’s businesses and many individual donations ensured we well exceeded our initial target of $20,000.”

Contributing to this total for Torquay was a wonderful event held by Emerald Tysoe and her team at All Aboard Disability Support Services. Emerald organised an Alice in Wonderland themed morning tea and market stall event that raised more than $1600.

Jay and his Committee hosted Inverleigh’s first Family Fun Day since 2019, raising over $20K despite the rain. The event featured market stalls, rides, entertainment, a teddy bear hospital, a toy workshop, a CFA/SES display, and an Easter egg hunt with over 300 children.

Marnoo Cricket Club hosted an annual 20/20 cricket match on Saturday, March 25, 2023. Having a long tradition with donations to the RCH, going way back to the first ever fundraiser at the Bolangum Inn at Kanya, the community with a population of only 99 raised an amazing $50,000!

Congratulations to Karie, Ali & Lauren of Corowa Wahgunyah for their efforts in raising over $118,000! Many events and activities contributed to the total including an epic Battle of the Bridge, a charity golf day, barefoot bowls, an Easter event and raffle. A highlight was the Talbot family’s incredible Shear for the Kids sheep shearing event which raised over $21,000.

The Tin Shed at Barwon Heads is celebrating their most successful Good Friday Appeal fundraiser yet, raising more than $81,150 to assist children and their families undertaking treatment at the RCH.

The Tin Shed event organisers said they were hopeful of eclipsing last year’s $61,465 total, however were blown away by the exceptional support of locals and businesses who donated gifts, cheques and their valuable time and effort towards the 2023 Appeal.

Boorhaman may be one of Victoria’s smallest towns, but its residents have some of the biggest hearts. With a population of just 126, the people of tiny rural Boorhaman in the state’s northeast banded together to raise tens of thousands of dollars. The Good Friday Appeal holds a special place in fundraising committee member Katie Batchelor’s heart after her daughter, Charlee, was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis and treated at the RCH when she was just seven. This year they raised an amazing $38,246 for the Appeal.

In another case of “small towns, big hearts”, the tiny farming communities of Devenish & Dookie with a population of just over 500 people, raised an amazing $120K - the second highest on the Regional Tally Board.