By Bronwyn Hastings

The Good Friday Appeal raised a record $25,268,485 statewide for equipment at the Royal Children’s Hospital’s Melbourne base, with $3-million earmarked for regional health services.

Events, tin-rattling at stoplights and through streets – and even Nhill’s novel rabbit poo lotto – contributed to the total.

The Country Fire Authority won recognition for its 75-year participation in the cause, started by Donald Fire Brigade in 1951 and continued with 225 brigades raising $2,150,000 this year, with a 75-year total of $43,150,000. 

CFA volunteer and Horsham appeal co-ordinator Ray Carman said he started raising money at Horsham when his son Stephen, then 12 months old, was discharged from the Royal Children’s Hospital.

“Thirty-six years ago, before the fire brigade did anything, it was basically left to the Lions Club to rattle tins up and down the street,” he said.

“After Stevie came out of the Royal Children’s I got a couple of members of the brigade and we just went around town, driving around the main street and so forth – nothing formal. We raised about $2000 or $1800. 

“Then the next year, there was half a dozen of us and we raised $4000, and it kept picking up to where it is today.”

Horsham, Vectis and Jung fire brigade volunteers and supporters walked Horsham’s streets accompanied by fire trucks on Friday, while Horsham Rural City Band and Rotary Club of Horsham East members manned major intersections. 

Mr Carman said their efforts raised $32,121.03, contributing to Horsham’s total of $64,954.92, ranking 11th-highest in the state.

Hopetoun’s community was recognised for its milestone 70-year involvement in the appeal, along with 18 towns that marked 50 years of fundraising, including Jeparit, Willaura, Edenhope, Marnoo and Rupanyup.

Other tallies were: Ararat $31,626.78; Dimboola $17,549.69; Glenorchy $11,306.42; Goroke $4851.89; Harrow $740.52; Hopetoun $6232.44; Horsham $64,954.92; Jeparit $3469.82; Kaniva $4349.47; Marnoo $1435.48; Murtoa $5816.61; Natimuk $7744.04; Nhill $22,343.23; Pomonal $14,129.90; Rainbow $5316.44; Rupanyup $6611.84; St Arnaud $22,290.99; Stawell $57,499.37; Warracknabeal $29,903.42; Willaura $18,389.89. 

“We had brigade members and community members counting, and National Australia Bank Rural representatives weighing and collating at the end,” Mr Carman said.
“I thank everybody – the collectors, the money counters, the donors, anyone who was involved in any way. I do it because it’s a good cause.”

Since 1931, the Good Friday Appeal has raised more than $517-million. 

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