The club’s desperate to raise the cash it needs to restore its aged and fading clubrooms and kick started that campaign by raffling a car worth almost $50,000.
And when Echuca Mitsubishi’s Garret Stobaus drew Perth-based Lindsay Thorn’s name from the barrel in front of a packed house at Echuca Racing Club’s Pavilion, the crowd went wild.
And only got louder when Lindsay’s brother Philip – who plays at Echuca – accepted the prize on his behalf and immediately announced a slice of the value of the car would be donated back to the club.
“My brother bought $1000 worth of tickets and told me if he did win he would make a donation to the club out of the value of the car.
“So this will add at least a few more thousands or so to the club’s fundraising goal, and that’s a win-win for everyone,” he added.
“It helps that he is also an enthusiastic bowler, I reckon he has played at least 200 games for WA.”
EBC fundraising co-ordinator Anna Meyer said she was stunned at the extra boost to the club’s coffers.
Ms Meyer said the sellout raffle and sellout ball had already been big winners – she estimated the raffle had raised around $32,000; the ball’s ticket sales raised another $10,000 and so did the auction earlier in the evening.
“We need to raise a lot of money, and community support has been marvellous – but to have raised more than $50,000 tonight and then get that extra $20,000 or so is just the icing on the cake – we are so overwhelmed and so grateful.”
Mr Stobaus said Echuca Mitsubishi has been a club sponsor for the past 50 years and the raffle winner had the choice of a Mitsubishi Outlander or a Mazda CX-5.
“Our partnership with Echuca Bowls Club has been a fantastic success story and we are delighted to have played a part in tonight’s remarkable fundraiser,” he said.
“And we look forward to continuing our support.”
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