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Podium finish in RCH Appeal for Lang Lang and Korumburra

THE little West Gippsland town of Lang Lang and South Gippsland’s Korumburra have punched well above their weight in recording two of the biggest fundraising tallies in Gippsland for the 2023 Royal Children’s Hospital Appeal. Per head of...

by Michael Giles

Published April 08, 2023

Podium finish in RCH Appeal for Lang Lang and Korumburra — Contributing to the overall regional Victoria tally of more than $4 million was the traditional Uncle Bobs' goods and services auction at the Middle Hotel ahead of the Royal Children's Hospital Appeal last week. Volunteer auctioneer is James Kyle of SEJ with 'Fish' Ben Fisher of the Korumburra Hotel.

Per head of population, it would be hard to go past the performance by Lang Lang this year, hitting the $37,865 mark by the close of the Regional Tally Board on Good Friday night.

The generous people of Korumburra, where the local Uncle Bobs branch has run a year-long appeal for decades, got to $37,821; making them virtually equal-third across Gippsland with Lang Lang.

As usual it was Traralgon topping the Gippsland regional count with $74,015 raised and Yarragon second with $48,300 but honourable mentions too for San Remo with $34,319 and Phillip Island with $29,711.

Rebecca Cowan, Executive Director of the Good Friday Appeal, has warmly praised the regions for contributing $4,029,017 to the overall appeal record of $23,061,320.

“We are so thankful to the incredible communities across regional Victoria each and every year. Their passion and generosity never ceases to amaze us and this final tally could not have been reached without the dedicated communities across the state who have come together for the kids,” Rebecca said.

“Once again, there have been incredible and inventive fundraising initiatives over the state. In Corowa, there was a sheep shearathon, a family fun day in Inverleigh, and a country music show in Traralgon. Making fundraising fun and inclusive was wonderful to see.

“Thank you to all of the regional communities who have given up their time and resources to support the Appeal in raising funds so The Royal Children’s Hospital can continue to grow and be at the forefront of paediatric care to help sick kids.

“We would like to take this time to acknowledge our 190 dedicated Area Managers and key fundraising partners such as the CFA, Uncle Bobs Club, RCH Auxiliaries, Lions, Rotary, and other committees.

“Along with our wonderful Volunteers, they have been running fundraisers, shaking tins and door knocking across the state and beyond. Your commitment is truly inspiring,” said Rebecca.

Communities around Victoria and beyond have dug deep, she said, producing another exceptional record-breaking fundraising total donation tally for The Royal Children’s Hospital Good Friday Appeal.

Rebecca Cowan, Executive Director of the Good Friday Appeal said:

This year, funds from the Good Friday Appeal will go directly to new and ongoing programs including, Cardiac projects, the Centre for Health Analytics, development of the Melbourne Children's Campus Mental Health Strategy and vibrant youth program Chronic Illness Peer Support (ChIPS). Each year, donations from the Good Friday Appeal support ground-breaking research, state of the art equipment and technology, family centred care programs and attracting and retaining the brightest minds.

“With an incredible fundraising result, the Good Friday Appeal committee is truly humbled by the generosity of the Victorian community and beyond. Since 1931, the Good Friday Appeal has raised a momentous $444M going directly to The Royal Children’s Hospital.”

The final tally is: $23,061,320.

Regional and rural Victoria tally is: $4,029,017.