Raffle raises thousands for not-for-profits

SIXTY-seven not-for-profit groups across Victoria have benefited from this year’s Rotary Club of Ballarat South-led Community Assistance Raffle.

Collectively the organisations sold more than 76,000 tickets at $2 each, and 80 per cent of each sale was kept by the club that made it.

RCBS Community Assistance Raffle chair Maree Roache said a total of $122,000 was raised throughout the initiative, which she described as “a hand up, not a hand-out.”

“We give thanks to the various community organisations who sold the tickets, and the community members who have supported the selling clubs by purchasing the tickets,” she said.

“RCBS’ donation to this event is $20,000; funds raised from the profits of Ballarat Market. All prizes were donated by RCBS.

“This year’s prizes included a Honda CR-V valued at $35,900 from Ballarat Honda, with the second prize of $1000 worth of Bunnings vouchers.

“The raffle was drawn by [City of Ballarat mayor] Cr Des Hudson on Sunday, 7 May at Rotary Place.”

Fifteen of Learmonth and District Historical Society’s members sold enough tickets to raise $800 for the organisation, and chair Desley Beechey said the raffle is their biggest annual fundraiser.

“It is just invaluable,” she said. “It helps with the survival of the historical society, and it’s a great opportunity for clubs to do some work themselves to raise funds for the organisations, with Rotary providing such fantastic prizes.

“The historical society has a collection of documents, memorabilia, articles, and trophies from Learmonth and district going back to the 1850s and $800 goes a long way towards us meeting our utility expenses per year.

“We’re currently digitising our collection, cataloguing it all, and we host guest speakers to keep the history of the district happening and alive in people’s minds.”