Volunteers thanked for Good Friday Appeal donations

By Oliver Shedden

Jul 25, 2024

Representatives from the Good Friday Appeal travelled to Echuca-Moama to commend volunteers for their volunteer and donation efforts in 2024.

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The event was held at the Echuca Workers Club on Thursday, July 25, for significant donors and volunteers who helped raise money on Good Friday 2024.

The Good Friday Appeal is an annual fundraising activity for The Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne, held on Good Friday every year.

Some of the major organisations and individuals who donated to the Good Friday Appeal last year were Echuca CFA, Ben Christy, Echuca Village CFA, The Echuca Beer Shed, Moama Bowling Club, Bamawm Extension, CFA Echuca Workers Club, NSW Rural Fire Service, Moama NSW Fire and Rescue, Moama.

Echuca-Moama has again topped its highest fundraising total, raising $129,279 for the GFA this year, adding to its total of $2,810,157 raised since 1975.

GFA representatives Simone Dalla Riva, Anna Wilson and Claire O’Riordan were present to commend the efforts of the community. Photo by Oliver Shedden

The Good Friday Appeal raised a total of $23,368,724 for The Royal Children’s in 2024.

The Echuca Lions Club spearheads the donation drives yearly, and ELC secretary Howard Brettig serves as the GFA’s area manager in Echuca-Moama.

Community members were presented with certificates of appreciation for their excellence in fundraising, including Ben Christy, who raised over $12,000 single-handedly by collecting cans as part of the Container Deposit Scheme NSW.

GFA Head of Fundraising and Communications Simone Dalla Riva highlighted the achievements of the Echuca-Moama community and commended their ongoing contributions to The Royal Children’s.

“Today we are here in Echuca to thank the community and area manager who has raised money on behalf of Echuca-Moama for the Good Friday Appeal 2024,” she said.

GFA area manager for Echuca-Moama Howard Brettig gave a speech thanking the community members for their donation efforts. Photo by Oliver Shedden

“The people involved volunteer their time and unite their communities, which is a considerable effort.

“Regional Victoria and Southern NSW raised over $5.2 million for the appeal, so it is the least we can do to come out and commend those who have led the fundraising efforts.

“Thank you to such a generous community. We couldn’t do this without them. They have such a rich history of philanthropy, and we are incredibly grateful for everything they do.”

Mr Brettig emphasised the importance of the GFA, thanking and giving feedback to the individuals and community groups who raised money.

Echuca Lions Club members Darryl Ronchi (left), Ian Fern, Greg Anderson, Howard Brettig, John Nolan, Geoff Crossman and Laurie Phillips spearheaded the fundraising in 2024. Photo by Oliver Shedden

He also reflected on his own experience with the GFA and how he enjoys being a part of something that positively impacts others.

“I think it’s essential to come and say thank you because it is vital to give feedback to the people involved in the collection on Good Friday as well as their efforts throughout the year,” he said.

“A few people received certificates for their efforts, and they got to express to the GFA how much it meant to them, which was quite inspiring.

“It’s a pleasure to be involved in something so positive. All the feedback is great, and it is a good environment to be a part of.”