The community-based organisation runs a full calendar of activities throughout the year to raise money for the Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne.
This year saw the introduction of a steer drive for the DDDGFA to complement its highly successful lamb and sheep drive which first began in 2017.
DDDGFA Committee president Paul Durden said 21 cattle were donated from 15 farmers to raise the ‘massive’ total.
“The cattle were of various ages and sizes and of course different breeds,” Mr Durden said.
“Some farmers put in two to sell, but the majority put in one; it does not matter what you send in — it can be an old cow or a calf, which is always enough.
“They still make $1000 or better – that’s amazing.”
Mr Durden said the buyers at the sale ‘really got behind’ the event with the hospital being mentioned with every new pen introduced.
“Once, they were bidding 210¢ a kilo, but then one buyer called out ‘since it’s going to the children’s hospital, you better make it 250’.
“The buyers were amazing, and Brendan Carey, the saleyard manager, gets right behind us as well, as did Sam Nelson, the auctioneer from AWN.”
Good Friday Appeal executive director Rebecca Cowan thanked the DDDGFA Committee for the money raised and praised its dedication to the hospital and care for sick children.
“The support from the Dookie and Devenish community enables the Royal Children’s Hospital to continue to provide life-changing care to our sickest children and their families,” Ms Cowan said.
“Together, they are making a significant impact on children’s lives.”
In 2023, the appeal raised $23 million statewide with regional Victoria contributing $3 million.
The DDDGFA also held a lucky ticket event on Saturday, October 5 which raised $18,500, and the group’s sheep and lamb drive on Friday, October 11 sold 98 sheep for $12,600.
Mr Durden was confident the cattle drive would not be the group’s last.
“That was our first-ever one; we will now have this every year,” he said.
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