Fashion show exceeds expectations, raises $11,000

AN Ocean Grove fashion show has raised a five-figure sum to help dogs in need in Indonesia, with the event’s organiser saying there will be more down the track.

The Bellarine Boss Babes 2024 Fashion Show Fundraiser raised a whopping $11,000 last month at Ocean Grove Surf Life Saving Club, hosted by The Beauty Queen Ocean Grove’s Sarah Donaldson and Ocean Rental Boutique’s Tarryn Stanley.

All funds raised from the event were directed to Bali-based dog rescue shelter Gaia Dog Rescue to assist with medical bills and general healthcare.

Ms Donaldson said she was amazed at this year’s response from businesses, almost doubling this year’s fundraising objective and expected turnout.

“It exceeded all expectations,” Ms Donaldson said.

“We were originally aiming for about $6,000, so to almost double that was incredible.

“It was huge, we had almost 200 people, it could not have gone any better.”

Ms Donaldson said this year’s success was a by-product from the reputation the 2023 fashion show had garnered.

The event had eight stallholders and five businesses coordinating together on the day.

The surf lifesaving club also helped to get the word out by advertising the event through its mailing list.

“We’ll definitely host a similar fashion show next year and it’s still early days, but we think we’ll raise funds to single parent households, namely for single mums, and just alleviating some of the stress there,” Ms Donaldson said.