Community
24 April, 2025
Towns rally behind the Good Friday Appeal
THE community dug deep to raise tens of thousands of dollars in support of the Royal Children’s Hospital last week.
Last Friday marked the return of the annual Good Friday Appeal, which this year raised $23.8 million for the Royal Children’s Hospital.
According to the Good Friday Appeal’s official regional figures for 2025, south west communities rallied to raise
Terang (and Noorat) - $7962; Mortlake - $6057; Garvoc - $48,979; Caramut - $76; Camperdown - $34,760; Cobden - $15,185; Derrinallum - $1295; and Port Campbell - $1921.
In Mortlake, the Good Friday Appeal result saw a significant increase, with its $6057 result easily surpassing last year’s total of $4373.
Mortlake Good Friday Appeal area manager Michelle Howat said the success of this year’s appeal was “above all expectations”.
“We only had four lots of collectors but they covered almost all of town,” she said.
“The collection tin at the Mortlake Roadhouse raised almost $2000 and the tin at the IGA had nearly $500.
“There’s lots of room to do more for next year but I’m really pleased.
“I think this year it helped that we had QR codes to hand out which I think helped, because this is the most Mortlake has raised that I can remember.”
Terang and Noorat were again supported with the help of the Noorat 1st Scouts, who trekked across the communities to shake the tins.
Good Friday Appeal Terang and Noorat area manager Rob Rowe said he was pleased with such a successful year.
“It went really good,” he said.
“We’re sitting just short of $8000 and I’m really happy with it – it’s a good total in these tough times
“Thank you to the Terang and Noorat community for all the support, in addition to the Terang Returned and Services League sub-branch and Mark and Donna Cole.
“The Scouts all did really well – we’re so proud of them.
“They got the job done – they just go and do it.”
The Country Fire Authority (CFA) celebrated a milestone as part of this year’s appeal, with the $1.8 million its volunteers helped to raise through collections taking the CFA’s 74-year tally over the $40 million threshold.
Good Friday Appeal chair Penny Fowler AM said the appeal had now raised $468 million over its 94-year history.
“Every dollar donated provides lifesaving care at The Royal Children’s Hospital and this funding will further enhance regional capacity, support essential projects to improve patient care, and provide regional hospitals with crucial resources,” she said.
“We want to thank our regional supporters who are at the heart of the Good Friday Appeal for their incredible fundraising efforts over the years.”
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