Yarrawonga College P-12 Formal Co-Organiser Bailey Brear, College captains Jack Bassett and Maya Hargreaves, Formal Co-organiser Jim Gillies and Aaron Walker present Helping Hands Chairperson Jackie Smith and committee member Ros Vodusek with a cheque for $1000 recently.
Helping Hands are a dedicated committee of locals who assist in improving the quality of life of local residents and patients through supporting Yarrawonga Health services.
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The Helping Hands committee has been running for seven years and have raised $270,000 in that time which has gone towards the purchase of much needed equipment for the local health service.
They rely on donations and the help of the local community through direct donations as well as annual fundraising days, sausage sizzles and numerous events just to name a few.
Helping Hands Chairperson Jackie Smith said the Helping Hands committee are always grateful for the assistance they receive with donations however Yarrawonga Health is always in need of new and updated equipment.
“We have a wish list of equipment for the hospital with any donation going a long way and assisting us in purchasing the most needed equipment for the patients of our community,” Ms Smith said.
“We are always grateful for any donation especially as it goes back to assisting the community.
“Just recently we received $1000 from Yarrawonga College P-12 that they raised from their recent formal as well as $3000 from the Lions Club of Lake Mulwala.
“We have been greatly supported by the community and varying businesses and organisations over the years and we thank them immensely.
“In saying that, we are not done yet. There is still a long list of items that we want to raise money for to purchase for the hospital and we need the communities help to do that.”
The Helping Hands committee is made up of many well-known and passionate locals who do a great job in their roles however they are also always looking for a student to join.
“We would love to have a student from each of the local schools to join the committee as having the next generations influence can assist us significantly and may also lead to these students or some of their friends joining in the future,” Ms Smith said.
One event the Helping Hands committee held in previous months that raised money for their cause was the Autumn Soiree at Rich Glen Olive Estate on April 30.
This was the first event at the estate in three years due to Covid with nearly 100 people in attendance.
Helping Hands held an Autumn Soiree at the Rich Glen Olive Estate to raise money for Helping Hands work with Yarrawonga Health.
Photo by
AndreaSissons
On arrival attendees were presented with a champagne kindly donated by Squires Winery and Bullers Winery before a Welcome to country was performed by Uncle Dozer.
Uncle Dozer also played the didgeridoo and expressed that it was important that we all work together in Australia to make it a better country for everybody, especially the next generation.
The room was decorated by magnificent flowers prepared by local lady Julia Houghton with entertainment performed by Corowa local Dylan Forge who sang baritone qualities.
All the food was homemade from the committee members of Helping Hands or friends with the hit of the day being the ever-popular Passionfruit Sponge Cake, Jelly cakes and small cakes made by the amazing well-known local cook Joyce Torpy.
“It was a magnificent day, the weather was wonderful, and everybody commented on how wonderful it was to come back to Rich Glen,” Ms Smith said.
“All funds from the day went to Yarrawonga Health and we also received a wonderful donation from Across the Arts Yarrawonga Mulwala and the Lake Mulwala Community Action Group.
“We must say thank you to the wonderful businesses that donated to our raffle and door prizes on the day: Rich Glen – Ros and Damien Vodusek, TT’s Harvest – Tracey Holgate and Matt, ClubMulwala, Bridge of Health, White Door Living and Andrew and Vivian Spilva.
“A huge thank you also to the committee members Brenda Spilva, Jude Spilva, Charney Brown, Jo Spence and Tully Drake.”
If anyone would like to join the committee and put back into the community contact Jackie Smith on 0419 831 516 or jackiesmith293@gmail.com.