New South Welshmen and Victorians put their differences aside every year to work together raising money for the Good Friday Appeal at Corowa and Wahgunyah.
Karie Playford has been organising the Good Friday Appeal fundraising drive for Corowa/Wahgunyah for six years and says it brings her and her family great satisfaction when they see the result that our towns manage to pull together every year.
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Corowa/Wahgunyah has historically performed well when it comes to digging deep into their pockets to raise money for the Royal Children’s Hospital, regularly featuring among the top 10 locales for total funds raised.
This year should be no different, with the Battle of the Bridge, emergency services cruising the streets, and the annual sheep drive just a few of the local efforts working together for the cause.
Corowa Rutherglen Roos man one side of the John Foord Bridge to shake tins and collect money in the name of the Good Friday Appeal each year.
“We kick off on Good Friday morning with the Battle of the Bridge,” Karie said.
“The Corowa/Rutherglen Roos and Wahgunyah Lions gather on each side of the John Foord Bridge to collect donations – it’s a friendly rivalry to see which side of the bridge can collect the most money.
“Door knockers then hit the streets throughout the morning, which includes crews from emergency services in the area, as well as civilians, cruising the streets in their trucks and rattling tins for donations.”
Other activities include the Club Corowa Easter raffle, the Apex Club to Pub Walk from the Apex clubrooms in Corowa to the Balldale Hotel, and the annual sheep drive.
This year is our eighth sheep drive, with the last seven raising $145,000.
The sheep drive concluded on Monday and involved sheep producers donating lambs or sheep to auction.
“The agents at the Corowa sale yards do a fantastic job talking to their clients and getting donations for us, and then they get auctioned on the two Monday sales prior to Easter, with all proceeds going to the appeal,” Karie said.
On the Victorian side of the John Foord Bridge stand the Wahgunyah Lions, rattling their tins just as hard trying to outdo the Roos on the other side.
Rutherglen Football Club president Greg Lumby said their players and members would be getting in on the action at Wahgunyah Recreation Reserve during their game against the Lions.
“Both clubs get the tins out and rattle them around the oval for this game,” Mr Lumby said.
“It’s Wahgunyah’s home game this year, so we’ll be doing it at the Wahgunyah Rec. Reserve.
“It’s a great cause and the players love getting involved.”
The Roos have been rattling tins for the appeal for more than 20 years and usually raise about $1,000 to $2,000 from their efforts in the Battle of the Bridge each year.
Club president Beau Longmire said organising the morning was a player driven initiative and something that they’re all proud to be involved in.
“We encourage players from all grades to get involved,” Beau said.
“The players organise who’s going to rattle tins on our side of the bridge.
“The juniors to the seniors and women help out, and they have a pretty good time doing it.”
Corowa Wahgunyah has historically performed well when it comes to raising money for the Good Friday Appeal, showing the community spirit that runs deep here.
Grayd’n Davis from Federation Support Rural Fire Service has been involved with the Good Friday Appeal since 1995.
He said their members actively and happily roam around Corowa to support a worthy and wonderful cause such as the Royal Children's Hospital.
“There will be three brigades assisting with trucks, as well as other brigades assisting with members,” Grayd’n said.
“It all goes into a combined tally with other groups from the area; many hands make light work.
“It’s an astounding amount raised by a small, niche community like ours.
“There’s a bit of a size difference compared to other towns like Ballarat, Bendigo and Geelong.
“They're certainly punching well above their weight in the local community; it's always great to see.”
