General News
18 January, 2024
Record funds raised from carnival
The Rheola Charity Carnival committee announced a record donation of $60,000, which has been given to Dunolly and Inglewood hospitals, as well as Rheola’s hall and recreation reserve. The donation comes from the 150th Rheola Charity Carnival...
The Rheola Charity Carnival committee announced a record donation of $60,000, which has been given to Dunolly and Inglewood hospitals, as well as Rheola’s hall and recreation reserve.
The donation comes from the 150th Rheola Charity Carnival, which generated the event’s biggest profit after missing three straight carnivals due to COVID-19.
Outgoing president Peter Mason said he was concerned towards the reception of the event after continued postponements, yet is delighted with its success.
“I had my doubts that we would be able to get it back up again, but we got some new people on the committee who brought great enthusiasm and did a huge job,” he said.
“The event is an amazing social gathering — people who have any connection to the town, come back for that day.”
The $60,000 has been shared, with Inglewood and Dunolly hospitals receiving $20,000 each, while $10,000 has gone to Rheola Hall and Rheola Recreation Reserve.
The division of donations has been a long-standing tradition of the event, something Mr Mason said he was continuously proud of.
“We are delighted we can hand this level of money to Inglewood and Dunolly (hospitals) — aged care homes are so expensive to run and are such an important facility, so we hope to make the residents’ experience a little bit better,” he said.
“The Rheola Hall and recreation reserve are the centrepieces of the town — this donation allows for their continued upkeep.”
The committee has already made plans for this year’s Easter Monday event, hoping to engage more community groups and businesses to help support the event.
Mr Mason said extra support is necessary to help the event continue to thrive.
“We plan to outsource a few more jobs this year, things like coffee vans and stuff like that because we don’t have the volunteers to keep up with everything,” he said.
“We are always looking for volunteers, they are the backbone of the event so if you want to help out we would love your support.”
Maryborough District Health Service (MDHS) has operated the Dunolly Hospital and Nursing Home since its inception in 1993.
MDHS CEO Nickola Allan said she is thankful for the continued relationship, which has supported the nursing home immensely.
“The generosity of the Rheola Charity Carnival committee allows us to do those little extra touches to provide a really great experience for our residents in our facility,” she said.
“It is an extraordinary relationship we have with the committee and they have helped us provide great facilities — the dining room (donated in 2019) is a really beautiful example of what they have been able to do for us.
“The ability for community members to live out their final years in their own community, surrounded by friends and family is hugely important.
“We are very greatful for the ongoing relationship with the committee, and we look forward to many more years.”
This year’s Rheola Charity Carnival will be held on Monday, April 1, at the Rheola Recreation Reserve.