Pictured at the property Killarney on Friday is Corowa RSL Club president Jenni Delany, Abby Talbot and Steve Talbot (Talbot Shearing & Crutching services), Good Friday Appeal Area Managers Karie Playford (holding Charlie Bath), Ali Playford and Lauren Bath (holding Elly Bath), and Chantelle Gorman who was part of the shearing crew.
In a heart-warming display of community spirit, local shearers have donated their day's wages to shear 700 sheep, raising more than $21,000 for the Royal Children’s Hospital Good Friday Appeal.
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The community came out in droves to support ‘Shear for the Kids’, organised by Abby and Steve Talbot, with over 40 shearers pitching in to get the job done, and individuals and organisations making donations and purchasing raffle tickets.
The Talbot’s were blown away by the support of the community telling the Free Press they only expected around 10 shearers and shed hands when they first came up with the idea.
“To have nearly 50 shearers from different contract groups give up their working day to be here and support the Good Friday Appeal is really special. We are really quite overwhelmed by the support,” Abby said.
Ewe beauty! More than local 40 shearers and shed hands gave up their time and wages to help shear 700 sheep for the Good Friday Appeal, last Friday with more than $21,000 raised on the day.
“We are also so grateful for the support from local businesses. Craig Waldron was out here in the morning cooking breakfast for everyone. Corowa RSL Club jumped on board to donate $10 from every ticket sold to the upcoming Jon Stevens concert. TB Shearing Supplies supplied the singlets. And other businesses also donated supplies and raffle prizes. We’re just so grateful for the support.”
For the Talbot’s, the Good Friday Appeal is a cause close to their hearts after their son Ollie was admitted to the Royal Children's Hospital for open heart surgery shortly after he was born. These days, four-year-old Ollie is healthy young boy who loves being in the shearing sheds and playing with his brothers.
Running around the sheds at Killarney on Friday were other local children who have received life-changing support from the Royal Children’s hospital including Zharie Healy (4) who has endured a brave battle with club foot, and Bethany Ferguson (9) who also had open heart surgery as a baby.
Ollie Talbot demonstrating how to shear a sheep.
“Shear for the Kids is about giving back to a cause that has supported so many families in and around Corowa Wahgunyah,” Abby said.
“We have many children in the area who have benefitted from the care the Royal Children’s provides. To see the community come together and give back to the Good Friday Appeal is pretty incredible.”
Corowa Wahgunyah Good Friday Appeal Area Managers Karie Playford, Lauren Bath and Ali Playford expressed their gratitude to the Talbot Shearing & Crutching Services team, local shearers and all those who volunteered their time to make the day a staggering success.
"We were absolutely blown away by the generosity and turnout at the Ferguson's Shearing Shed on Friday," Karie said.
Bethany Ferguson shows off her beautiful poster for the Royal Children’s Hospital.
“The event was sponsored by several local businesses, including Corowa RSL Club, Waldron's Fresh On River - IGA Corowa, Riverside Auto Detailing, Poppy Emporium, Balldale Hotel, Mobil Corowa, Corowa Bakery, Corowa Meats, TB Shearing Supplies PTY LTD, and AWN.
“A big thank you to Abby and Steve for organising the day too. To raise in excess of $21,000 really shows what can be achieved when a community comes together for a good cause.”
Last year, the Corowa Wahgunyah raised a massive $102,000 for the Good Friday Appeal proving just how important the cause is to the community.
Zharie Healy provides a helping hand on Friday.
The Royal Children's Hospital provides world-class specialist care to sick children from all over Victoria, including those living in rural and regional areas. Many families in Corowa Wahgunyah have benefited from the services provided by the hospital, either directly or indirectly.
The funds raised through the Good Friday Appeal help to ensure that the hospital can continue to provide the best possible care to children- this includes investing in new medical technologies, conducting ground-breaking research, and improving facilities to make hospital stays as comfortable as possible for sick children and their families.
