Friends dig deep

FRIENDS of the Bendigo-Kilmore Rail Trail (FBKRT) recently donated $255 to the Heathcote SES Unit.

The money will help with fundraising to purchase a 4WD Medium Rescue Truck.

“Every year our group passes the hat around at our Christmas gathering and money is donated to a local community group,” said FBKRT treasurer Margie Joyce.

“This year we chose the Heathcote SES as they are a wonderful volunteer organisation helping people out in times of emergency.

“As a bonus, the Bendigo Community Bank is matching donations, so that turned our $255 into $510, a huge boost for the fundraising effort.”

In previous years, FBKRT donations have been given to Heathcote Food Share, Pyalong Community House and the Rochester Community House.

“We want our Christmas donations to benefit the communities the trail passes, or will pass through, although we did make an exception for Rochester to help with their flood recovery,” Ms Joyce said.

SES volunteer Peter Duncan thanked the FBKRT on behalf of Heathcote SES and explained how the addition of the 4WD Medium Rescue Truck would help the unit on the more than 200 calls they respond to each year.

The Friends of the Bendigo-Kilmore Rail Trail are a passionate community group with a vision of creating a long-distance trail following the historic route of the former Wandong, Heathcote, Sandhurst Railway.

The O’Keefe trail currently connects Bendigo, Axedale and Heathcote and there are plans to extend to Tooborac, Pyalong, Kilmore and Wallan.

The trail brings visitors from all over Victoria, and further afield, and provides economic and community benefits to the trail towns it passes through.

The trail also provides recreational opportunities for community members in the towns and, through a series of interpretive signs and displays, allows people to learn about the history and culture of the area.

For more information contact Margie Joyce on 0419 709 292 or Friends of the Bendigo-Kilmore Rail Trail at bendigokilmorerailtrail.com/the-trail.