Community
22 March, 2024
Give for the kids this Sunday
THE Good Friday Appeal kicks off in Garvoc this weekend, with the small town hoping to again raise significant funds for The Royal Children’s Hospital.
The annual Garvoc Community Goods and Services Auction will return this Sunday, March 24 from 11am with ambitions of continuing its run of generous support for children when they need it the most.
Last year the final tally for the Good Friday Appeal broke records, with an astonishing $23 million raised to benefit the Royal Children’s Hospital.
The Garvoc community has long been something of a phenomenon when it comes to regional fundraising for the appeal.
Last year the town’s auction raised an incredible $23,000 which matched or surpassed the tally raised in much larger regional communities.
As Western District Newspapers reported last year, the Garvoc community also reached a milestone of its own as it surpassed $250,000 in total donations since the town was officially recognised as separate from Terang’s tally two decades prior.
Despite a population of only around 250 residents, Garvoc has become one of the ‘heavy hitters’ in regional support of the annual appeal.
In 2022 Garvoc set its fundraising record of $26,665, with the bulk of the funds coming from the Community Goods and Services Auction.
Good Friday Appeal Garvoc area manager Cate Kelly said a community with such a small population raising so much each year was something which “really brings the community together”.
“This year we will have auctioneers Jack Kelly and Tim Healy, who always add a bit of entertainment and get the bidding going,” she said.
“We’ve got lots of donations from businesses throughout the district, with everything from goods which the farming community will love, through to freshly baked treats.
“Some of the baked goods can make up to $500, it’s pretty funny seeing what people will pay.”
Ms Kelly said it was always a proud moment for the Garvoc community to rally around such an important cause, as the auction draws donations of goods and services from across the wider south west.
“It goes to show a small community with a small group of people can get something organised,” she said.
“We have people there year after year who come and support the auction because 100 per cent of the proceeds go to The Royal Children’s Hospital.
“They’re the important people who are willing to give the money and pay above total for the product.
“They come from all around the place, and we’re very grateful for those people who want to come and give for this cause.”
This year the Good Friday Appeal announced $2.5 million from the final tally would be used to support regional paediatric health services across five health services in regional Victoria.
The funds will support training, scholarships and state-of-the-art equipment, with the key goal of creating an integrated paediatric service system where health services can collaborate to share expertise and knowledge.
Ms Kelly said she welcomed the announcement as many people in the south west have relied on the support and care of The Royal Children’s Hospital over the years.
“It hits the heart a bit, I think,” she said.
“Raising money each year is just about giving for the kids and it’s a bonus if it helps to put us on the map.”
The annual Garvoc Community Goods and Services Auction will officially begin at the Garvoc Community Hall (4 Farrell Street) this Sunday from 12noon, with a barbecue from 11am.
