Auctioned for a cause: Dookie Devenish and District Good Friday Appeal member Shirley Clarke, Sam Furphy, DDDGFA treasurer Chelsea McKay, tank end purchasers Ray and Natasha Broughton, Adam Furphy and DDDGFA president Paul Durden.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
The Dookie Devenish and District Good Friday Appeal has smashed last year’s total raised for the Royal Children’s Hospital by an astonishing $70,000.
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Following the conclusion of the group’s annual auction, the total tally has been announced as $193,240, good for third in the state.
“It’s just amazing,” DDDGFA president Paul Durden said.
“The generosity from the community is just fantastic.
Huge effort: City of Greater Shepparton Mayor Shane Sali, centre, and Federal Member for Nicholls Sam Birrell, second from left, with the DDDGFA team.
“We’ve got businesses calling us now asking how they can help and what they can give.
“Support these local businesses that have supported us, because they deserve it.”
The auction received a significant boost from Shepparton’s iconic Furphy family, who donated a commemorative water cart tank end that sold for almost $40,000 on its own.
The tank end is one of 15 of its kind, created last year to celebrate 150 years of Furphy businesses operating in Shepparton.
These tank ends have been donated to different community organisations and charitable causes such as the Good Friday Appeal.
Adam Furphy said it was obviously a great cause, but also fitting, because the Dookie area had been a great supporter of the Furphy family over the years.
Sam Furphy said the tank end was cast the same way they had been for the past century, with a few modern tweaks.
Seasoned veteran: Ray Broughton’s tank end collection at his Melbourne home.
Collector Ray Broughton said he had been looking for an opportunity to get one of the commemorative tank ends.
When the chance arose to snag one for his collection, while also donating a sizeable chunk of money to support sick children and their families, it was a no-brainer.
“I reckon they are just the most iconic Australian piece that you can get,” Mr Broughton said.
“How many Australian families can say they’re working in 2024 the same way they have been for the last 150 years?
“I had to have it.
“And the money goes towards the Royal Children’s Hospital, and I’ve had kids at that hospital, so it all ties in, and it’s a great cause.”
One last ride: The DDDGFA team held one more event in Dookie on Good Friday to raise money for the Royal Children’s Hospital.
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Contributed
On Good Friday, March 29, the DDDGFA held its final event for this year’s fundraising in Dookie, with raffles, music, food and more in celebration of another huge effort from the small community.
Community member Tim Roadley ran 26km from Devenish to Dookie on the day, raising $3000 for the appeal.
Still smiling: Tim Roadley after his long run.
The Katamatite Lions raised about $3000 in Katamatite, and the Dookie community raised a further $1000.
The group has now raised about $700,000 for the Royal Children’s Hospital in the past eight years.
The group members will no doubt be looking to smash this year’s tally next year on the road to a million.
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