Click went the shears, and the community spirit, at a Shearing for Kids with Cancer fundraiser day at Wanalta last month.
The combined efforts saw more than $27,000 raised for the Royal Children's Hospital.
The event, now in its third year, was held in the seven-stand shearing shed at Bill and Val Barlow’s farm 'Corydon' at Wanalta, between Colbinabbin and Rushworth.
This will all be going to help the families of children with cancer, and to fund facilities at the cancer ward at the RCH, and to fund ongoing research and trials, to help deliver more effective treatment outcomes for the young children involved.
- Bill Barlow, Wanalta
Katrina Ogden, who organised the event with her husband Bill and Mr Barlow, said the initiative started when child of a local family, who are also good family friends, was diagnosed with cancer and was treated at the Melbourne hospital.
"So we did a fundraiser night, and the money Bill Barlow would have paid to the shearing team, including shearers, the classer and rousies was donated," Ms Ogden said.
"And this year, we upped it a bit, with raffles and auctions."
She said she created an event on Facebook and initially invited her Facebook friends, and then it snowballed.
"We also reached out to a few local businesses that are run by good friends and then other local businesses contacted us and joined in to donate."
She said it was marvellous to have raffle and auction prices including a load of gypsum, loads of wood, load of rock and more.
Fiona and Wayne Hansford, Truffles Catering, donated their time and services for the event.
Mr Barlow said the about 20 shearers and rouseabouts processed an impressive 653 sheep and their fleeces for the day.
He said it was a large number of supporters came to watch and contribute, and many said it was very interesting to see the seven-stand shearing shed in full flight.
“With the help and generosity of all involved, the fantastic amount of about $27,000 was raised. This included a cheque for $3700 resulting from some lambs donated and sold by district farmers a few months ago,” Mr Barlow said.
“This will all be going to help the families of children with cancer, and to fund facilities at the cancer ward at the RCH, and to fund ongoing research and trials, to help deliver more effective treatment outcomes for the young children involved.”
Mr and Mrs Barlow’s daughter Alie works at the oncology ward at the RCH, and in a note to all those who helped on the day, said last year’s donations went towards comfortable treatment chairs, which meant children having long chemotherapy days could relax in more comfort and have a sleep if needed.
“Your generous donations today will go towards clinical trials and research at the Children Cancer Centre at the Royal Childrens. It is with extra funding that we can open more clinical trials and be involved in advanced treatments – which is the only way forward in our goal to cure more children with cancer, especially brain cancer.”
Mr Barlow shouted out everyone who helped, including the shearers and rousies and those who bid up so generously on the auction items, and the many donors and sponsors including the following businesses: AAA Woolbuyers, Fuzzy Cleary (Fuzztrans), Morgan Bulk Transport , Landmark, Elders, David and Natalie Coyle, West Farm Supplies , Heineger Australia, Truffles Catering, Andrew Mclean Transport, Roket Shearing, Auto Pro Ky, Bottom Pub, O'Sullivan Transport, Rushworth and District Community Bank, T and M Plumbing, Hans Stephan Automotive, Moora Working Draught Horse Group.
