Tatong set a new Good Friday Appal record

Source: Weekly Times

GOOD causes don't come much better than the Royal Children's Hospital Good Friday Appeal. And per capita fundraising for the Appeal does not get much better than at the small town of Tatong in north-east Victoria.

With a combined district community of about 200 people, this year Tatong raised $22,000 for the worthy cause. A highlight of the Tatong fundraising effort is the annual Good Friday auction of donated goods held in the grounds of the local pub, the Tatong Tavern.

The Tatong community started officially collecting for the Good Friday Appeal about 28 years ago.

Three years ago it was decided the auction would be moved outside at the Tavern. It proved a successful venture and this year the auction raised $10,865.

Good Friday Appeal area manager for Tatong Jade Kirk said it was a true community effort.

"While the auction held last Friday is the main event, fundraising is a year-round activity and the support of the community is fantastic,'' Ms Kirk said.

"We have regular raffles and the cow poo lotto held at the recreation reserve is also a fun day.

"In fact this year, we passed the $100,000 mark since we started collecting almost 30 years ago,'' Ms Kirk added.

Typical of the community support was the food stall at the auction last Friday. Run by the local Tatong Young Bloods, all produce was donated by district retail businesses. The food stall raised $1100 for the day.

At the auction, the number one member's ticket for the Tatong Football and Netball Club fetched $200 and the top priced lot was eight hours work from a local earthmoving contractor that sold for $500.

"It's all for such a good cause,'' Ms Kirk said.

"Several kids from the local area have needed the services of the Children's Hospital, so it's nice to know we are doing our bit.''