Rochester raises more than $14k for appeal

By Lua Ikenasio

Apr 22, 2025

Sophie and Remi Kyne helped collect donations. Photos: Supplied

Rochester community members dug deep to support the Royal Children’s Hospital’s annual Good Friday Appeal, so far collecting $14,743, with more donations still to be counted.

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Many donated online or by phone, but a whopping $8600 was donated to the tin shakers who were around town on Good Friday.

The volunteers gathered at the Rochester Fire Brigade station from 8.30am Friday before they set off.

Darcy Pump and Heath Kyne were among the days volunteers.

They covered the town in three-and-a-half hours, wrapping up at noon, with Rochester area appeal co-ordinator Heidi Warren counting donations until 5pm.

Rochester Football Netball Club members were among the day’s volunteers, and collections continued later on in the day at the club's footy and netball games.

Ms Warren said it was a successful day.

“It was a really good day,” she said.

“It was the first one with many back in their homes after the floods and people were happy to donate.

“We had a total of $8600, but we still have a few more tins from the footy game to count.”

John Clark and Vaughan Thomas got into the Easter spirit and helped out on the day.

An impressive amount was raised throughout the region with Lockington residents donating $3847, while Elmore residents raised $9039 and Colbinabbin residents cashed in a total of $8613.

Regional Victoria contributed $5,261,913 to the final Good Friday total of $23,822,792.