General News
9 April, 2026
Warracknabeal leads Good Friday Appeal
Warracknabeal’s Good Friday Appeal volunteers once again turned out in force, helping drive another strong result for the Royal Children’s Hospital Appeal, with neighbouring towns across the region also rallying behind the cause.
This year, Warracknabeal raised $29,903.42, adding to a fundraising legacy that stretches back to 1964 and has now delivered more than $523,000 to the appeal.
Locals have supported the appeal in Warracknabeal for decades, with early organisers once gathering at Dulcie and Les Peter’s home to count the money.
In 2004, the Warracknabeal Fire Brigade took over the local campaign, and that same year, the town earned a place on the regional tally board.
Volunteers thanked the community for again backing the fundraiser, whether through raffle ticket sales or direct donations.
Organisers also acknowledged key local supporters, including Oddette from Presh Beauty and Werrigar Roadhouse, who each donated a $50 voucher for the raffle, and Clinton from Jonasson’s Kitchen Solutions, who donated seafood for the raffle’s first prize.
The raffle winners were Gail Shultz, Nicol Wilson, Christine Gunn, M Cook and Jill Adams.
Warracknabeal’s effort formed part of another generous regional showing, with nearby towns also posting solid results.
Donald raised $14,823.69, Charlton collected $6769.94, Birchip contributed $3860.34, Wycheproof raised $3183.47, Boort collected $4050.99, and Hopetoun added $6232.44.
Larger regional centres also made major contributions, including Kerang with $19,608.34, Mildura and Irymple with $33,605.30, and Swan Hill with $34,813.16.
In Hopetoun, Good Friday Appeal area manager Anne Pulham said the town had enjoyed one of its strongest fundraising years yet, with support flowing through collection tins at local businesses, roadside fundraising and volunteers out on Good Friday.
“It was a really good year,” she said.
Ms Pulham said Hopetoun expanded its fundraising campaign in 2026 by introducing roadside collections for the first time.
“We had the first year that we did roadside collection,” she said.
She said the community responded with overwhelming generosity.
“Really good, it was amazing,” she said.
Two trucks headed out collecting on the day, backed by about 20 volunteers, including children. Ms Pulham said the result made 2026 the biggest year Hopetoun had recorded.
“Easily the biggest year we’ve had, and it was our 70th year of Hopetoun collecting,” she said.
She thanked everyone who helped make the campaign a success.
“Just massive thank you to everybody for helping us,” she said.
Across regional Victoria and southern New South Wales, 229 towns organised intersection collections, door knocks and local events as part of the annual fundraiser.
The Good Friday Appeal thanked its 221 area managers, volunteers and partners, including the CFA, for helping bring the campaign to life.
Milestone communities again celebrated proud fundraising traditions, with Donald marking 75 years, Jeparit 50 years and Hopetoun 70 years of collecting.