The generosity of the Echuca-Moama community was on full display during this year’s Good Friday Appeal.
The twin towns powered the $100,000 fundraising banner on what was another record-breaking day across the state.
The 2023 Good Friday Appeal, which raises much-needed funds for the Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne, sat at $23,061,320.
That figure surpasses the 2022 mark of $22,328,154.
Echuca-Moama’s contribution was $100,025, but Good Friday Appeal area manager Laurie Stewart said that figure remained an interim one.
“There’s still a bit more to come in, a few more tins to count,” Mr Stewart told The Riv.
“We had been saying for six months that we were going to break the $100,000 barrier and we’re really stoked to have done that.
“The generosity of the Echuca-Moama community is just exceptional.
“I reckon we’ll end up somewhere near $105,000.”
Echuca Lions Club member Mr Stewart, in his sixth and final year as the area manager, was full of praise for everyone involved in the local appeal.
“It really is a team effort from a number of great people,” he said.
“I’d like to thank the volunteers, all the venues, as well as those generous people who donated to the appeal.”
Mr Stewart made special mention of the local CFA and RFS brigades for their efforts, as well as the Echuca Moama Search and Rescue squad and Echuca Workers Club.
He also shared the story of Ben Christie, who has been collecting cans for the past five years.
“Ben in his first year raised $1100, then $1800, the next year $3300 and $4500 last year,” he said.
“This year he raised $8105, which deserves a plug, well done Ben.”
Northern Victoria and Southern NSW again shone, raising more than $300,000.
Tallies from other towns across the region included Cohuna ($11,219), Gunbower ($1253), Leitchville ($15,062), Lockington ($1954), Tongala ($9353) and Torrumbarry ($17,912).
Rochester, still recovering from the effects of last October’s devastating floods, raised $6253.
The regional and rural tally was $4,029,017.
Fundraising activities included a sheep shearathon in Corowa, family fun day in Inverleigh and country music show in Traralgon.
“Giving for the kids is what the Good Friday Appeal is all about and what big, generous hearts Victorians have had this year,” Good Friday Appeal chairman Penny Fowler said.
“The appeal continues to shine a light on the very best in our community and this year’s appeal is no exception.
“We are incredible grateful to the communities in Victoria and all the volunteers for digging deep for The Royal Children’s Hospital.”
The Good Friday Appeal also received strong support from the state and federal governments.
The Victorian Government pledged to donate $1 million.
“All of us as Victorians take great comfort in knowing that we have not just a good children’s hospital, but the best pediatric centre of care anywhere in the world, right here in our city,” Premier Daniel Andrews said.
The Federal Government is donating $6 million over three years.
“We know how important this work is,” Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said.
“We want to provide support for the kids and their families out there.”
Ms Fowler was appreciative of the support from the governments.
“Thank you to both the federal and state governments for the generous contributions to the appeal to ensure it remains a world-class facility helping sick children and their families,” she said.
Good Friday Appeal executive director Rebecca Cowan said funds from this year’s appeal would go directly to new and ongoing programs including, cardiac projects, the Centre for Health Analytics, development of the Melbourne Children’s Campus Mental Health Strategy and vibrant youth program Chronic Illness Peer Support (ChIPS).
“We understand that it has been, and continues to be, a very challenging time for many, and we sends our heartfelt thanks to those who continue to give what they can to create meaningful change for sick children and their families, enabling the RCH to provide leading healthcare to those who need it most,” Ms Cowan said.
Each year, donations from the Good Friday Appeal support ground-breaking research, state-of-the-art equipment and technology, family centred care programs and attracting and retaining the brightest minds.
Since 1931, the Good Friday Appeal has raised $444 million to keep the Royal Children’s Hospital at the forefront of research and care.