The Dookie, Devenish and District Good Friday Appeal finished on Friday, April 7, with show and shine event in Dookie.
More than $120,000 was raised for the Royal Children’s Hospital this year, putting the total at more than $510,000 in just seven years.
Across Greater Shepparton nearly $80,000 was raised for the hospital, with fundraisers in Mooroopna and Shepparton raising $20,259 and $43,742 respectively, while residents in Tatura ($9927) and Murchison ($5182) showed their generosity.
The region’s Good Friday Appeal Find out how much your town raised as part of the Good Friday Appeal for the Royal Children’s Hospital
Avenel — $6633
Benalla — $45,008
Cobram/Barooga — $34,857
Colbinabbin — $2720
Corop — $351
Devenish, Dookie and District — $120,248
Echuca-Moama — $100,025
Euroa — $17,888
Girgarre — $2945
Kyabram — $31,678
Mooroopna — $20,259
Murchison — $5182
Nagambie — $20,640
Nathalia — $19,560
Rochester — $6253
Rushworth — $1955
Seymour — $48,775
Shepparton — $43,742
Stanhope — $37,530
Strathmerton — $4793
Tatura — $9927
Yarrawonga — $29,864
Further abroad, Echuca-Moama hit six figures, raising $100,025, while Benalla ($45,000), Cobram-Barooga ($34,000) and Kyabram ($31,000) all recorded big totals.
Stanhope also punched well above its weight compared to bigger towns and larger tourism destinations, the town recording a massive $37,530 donation from its Good Friday Appeal.
“We are all still on cloud nine with this amazing result raised for the Royal Children’s Hospital of $120,248,” DDDGFA president Paul Durden said.
“We had a fantastic final day with the Show and Shine in Dookie on Good Friday, and it was a great result.
“We finished second overall in funds raised in regional Victoria, which is amazing when you consider the population of Dookie and Devenish compared to places like Ballarat and whatnot.”
The group held an auction on the day, which raised over $9000, and one generous individual even donated $1000 in cash.
“Pretty much summarises how generous the community have been,” Mr Durden said.
The DDDGFA has eclipsed $510,000 raised in just seven years, with this year being its biggest yet.
Mr Durden was keen to thank everyone involved in the annual October lamb drive: all the farmers who donated their lambs and sheep, the buyers, Buzz Schulz and Alan Shields for their hard work organising and arranging the drive, and the farmers who reared and sold steers for the DDDGFA throughout the year.
He also thanked Wayne and Floss, the publicans at the Gladstone, for their fortnightly meat trays, yabby race day, the successful Show and Shine and music day, and all the musicians who donated their time free for the event.
“All the businesses and individuals in Shepparton, Benalla, Yarrawonga and surrounding areas for their donations to our online auction, including all the buyers, your support is appreciated and the reason we have achieved the total we have,” Mr Durden said.
He also thanked the Dookie General Store, Dookie Emporium, The Katamatite Lions, Dookie Lions and Dookie fire brigade, the News, Country News, Win News and the sponsors of the DDDGFA stubby holders.
“To the whole community, your support and generosity is amazing and you all should be so proud of this result,” Mr Durden said.