News
Mundarra Muster raises over $70,000
22nd April, 2009
Over 500 guests from right across Victoria and interstate converged on Geoff Laidlaw's property at Langi Logan via Ararat for the Mundarra Muster on Sunday 19th April 2009.
This ‘once' off event was organized by the Mundarra Fundraising Committee to raise funds for East Grampians Health Service, and specifically for the Angela Laidlaw Clinical Scholarship.
The hardworking committee led by Chairman Rowly Paterson together with Geoff Laidlaw, Ferg Anderson, Peter Nicholson, Peter Carthew, Terry Weeks, Liz de Fegely, Liz Laidlaw, Sharon Meek, Judy Barr and coordinator Dianne Radford were overwhelmed with the response and the generosity of the gathering and overall the event is expect to raise over $70,000.
A big plus on the day was the estimated $16,000 raised from the auction with all the 20 items donated, in addition to the donation of a Sydney Accommodation Package Raffle which also proved really popular.
Highlights of the Sunday luncheon included Bendigo based jazz quintet Stylist who entertained guests beside the Hopkins River prior to the luncheon, MC John McDougall who not only kept the program moving along throughout the afternoon, but was also the very entertaining Dr Alzheimer.
Equally popular was guest bush poet Colin Driscoll's rendition of his own poem, "Memoirs of a Sheep"; such a funny concept put into a very funny storyline.
On a serious note East Grampians Health Service Chief Executive John Davies acknowledged the Laidlaw family for establishing the Angela Laidlaw Clinical Scholarship in 2007 in recognition of Angela's contribution and love of the health service. The Scholarship, unique to the health service, will now, with this outstanding donation, continue to create opportunities for Clinical Staff to enhance their skills for the benefit of the community.
Mundarra Chairman Rowly said: "The spirit of the community has really shone through to make this event the success it is today and the committee has been overwhelmed with the generous support of the many sponsors, volunteers and community groups who have came on board to give us a hand.
The generosity of Peter and Carol Nicholson of Grampians Event Hire in donating the huge marquee and all infrastructures has played a major factor in the fantastic amount of monies raised, together with the wonderful support of many wineries from the Grampians Region.
Overall it was a fantastic day and everyone involved, including all who attended, should feel proud that they have given in their own way to the East Grampians Health Service Angela Laidlaw Clinical Scholarship and we hope the donation from this event will assist the health service to be at the forefront in attracting and maintaining the highest level of excellence of Clinical Staff well into the future."
