Corowa Rutherglen supporter Kiara Corkett and her daughter Marci happily shook tins for the Good Friday Appeal's Battle of the Bridge
Local area managers are in awe of the $156,000 raised by residents to place fourth in the 2024 regional Good Friday Appeal (GFA).
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Once again finishing this year’s appeal ahead of much larger surrounding regional towns, Corowa Wahgunyah GFA area managers Karie and Ali Playford and Lauren Bath are ecstatic with the result.
“It was outstanding wasn’t it!” Ms Playford said.
“Certainly beat all of our expectations.”
For the third year in a row, the small twin communities on either side of the river have combined to achieve figures well above what anybody would believe they could.
Over a period of twelve months, residents, clubs and organisations in the area have collectively implemented an impressive number of initiatives that, together, resulted in such tremendous success.
“Almost seventy percent of our final total was raised prior to Good Friday,” Ms Playford said.
It was a family affair for Jenna Lane and sons Cooper and Finley Moloney along with Tyneaka Roach, son Zeke Moloney, Tommy Moloney and nephew Jay Moloney as they prepared to walk with CFA crews.
“Then, over 100 of our local fire and rescue service members were joined by members of the public, including many RCH (Royal Children's Hospital) patients and their families, to conduct the annual door knock around the streets of Corowa and Wahgunyah.
“Surprisingly, despite the cost of living crisis, collections from the door knock and the battle of the bridge were on par with the 2023 result.”
The combined efforts of the Apex Club 2 Pub walk and the associated activities held at Balldale raised $16,500, the Shear for the Kids event on March 15 raised $25,000, the sheep drive $30,000 and Ella Kingston’s Corowa to Yarrawonga run in December raised over $10,000.
These independently organised events combined with the fundraising efforts of many other local initiatives provide a sense of immense connection and pride for both the community and the GFA team.
“To see our community come together in such strong support of the Appeal shows the shared appreciation we have for the Royal Children's Hospital and the world-class care that it provides to the children in our community,” Ms Playford said.
Noelene Petrie makes a generous donation to volunteers Jessica Cottom and her young helper during the annual Corowa Wahgunyah GFA doorknock
“In a tight knit country community like ours, almost everyone knows a family who has needed the services of the hospital.
“We believe the community takes a lot of pride, and rightly so, in raising such an extraordinary sum of money, and featuring so high on the regional tally board.”
The 2024 Battle of the Bridge was won by Corowa with the club and Wahgunyah CFA shaking the tins on either side of the John Foord Bridge raising more than $3000.
“To see so many RCH patients and their families participating in the Good Friday doorknock, and knowing what it means to them, is very emotional,” Ms Playford said.
“Quite simply, some of those children would not be with us, or would not have the quality of life that they do, if it wasn't for the care that they receive as patients of the hospital.”
Corowa Wahgunyah area managers sincerely thank their volunteers, the many businesses who have sponsored events, donated goods, hosted a collection tin on their counters or run their own fundraisers, local emergency services crews who are fundamental to the success of the annual doorknock, the members of the community who have shown an extraordinary level of support for the appeal and the local football and netball clubs, CDHBU, Rennie, Corowa Rutherglen and Wahgunyah, and service clubs, Apex and Rotary, for their efforts.
“We couldn’t have done it without them,” Ms Playford said.
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