The send-off: People came out in big numbers on Christmas Eve to support Don Irvine’s final raffle. Photo: Supplied by Leitchville Hotel
After 50 years, ‘raffle master’ Don Irvine has called an end to his time running the Leitchville Hotel’s weekly draw, which raises money for the Good Friday Appeal.
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His daughter, Janelle Irvine, said Mr Irvine was overwhelmed by all the thanks he received on his final night.
“Dad was very overwhelmed on the night,” she said.
“He certainly didn’t expect to be acknowledged at all.
“Dad thinks that he doesn’t see anything major in what he does.”
“It’s just part of what he does and how he’s supported the Royal Children’s Hospital and the community and the hotel for the period of time that he’s been doing it.”
Thank you: The region’s Good Friday Appeal representative, Dianne Tubb, presented Don Irvine with a certificate and a 50-year service badge for his hard work. Photo: Supplied by Leitchville Hotel
His final raffle was the annual Christmas Eve draw, where Mr Irvine was presented with a certificate from the Good Friday Appeal and a 50-year service badge.
“He was really appreciative of the fact that it was acknowledged and that people chose to come that night and acknowledge what he’s been doing,” Ms Irvine said.
During the Christmas Eve raffle, over $4000 was raised.
It is estimated that over the 50 years he has been organising the raffles, Mr Irvine has raised around $500,000.
Well done: Publican Ryan O’Mahony thanks long-term raffle organiser Don Irvine.
Leitchville Hotel owner Ryan O’Mahony was proud of and excited by the success of the Christmas Eve raffle.
“Generally, for Christmas Eve, we raise between $2500 and $3000, but it was up $1000 this year. So at a $1 a ticket that was 4000 tickets sold for a town that has a population of 500 people,” he said.
Mr O’Mahony said Mr Irvine had created a special connection with the town.
“Don’s seen generations of people come through the hotel with the raffle,” he said.
“He’s seen children who then years later bring their children in for the raffle.”
Ms Irvine said she was proud of all the work her father had been part of.
“He and mum have been part of the community for a very, very long time, and he’s done other things as well,” she said.
“He’s been part of the bowling club and the tennis club.
“I am very proud of it all.
“He’s certainly very much been a part of the community and the fundraising and everything that he’s possibly been able to do.”
Ms Irvine said that during his speech on Christmas Eve, her dad made sure to thank the community.
“He thanks the whole Leitchville community for continuing to support the raffles for so many years, which meant that so much money could be raised to continue to support the RCH,” she said.
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