Community
10 April, 2026
Strong support for appeal
RESIDENTS dug deep for this year’s Good Friday Appeal, with a surge of donations received.
The Camperdown Good Friday Appeal raised $41,162.35 this year for the Royal Children’s Hospital, surpassing the previous year’s total of $40,318.27.
Camperdown Good Friday Appeal coordinator Kellie Kempton said she was rapt with the result after feeling like the total wouldn’t reach $40,000 due to rising fuel prices and cost of living pressures.
“Our record breaker is still 2024 with $43,000,” she said.
“We got very close.
“In the climate we’re in at the moment, I’m absolutely stoked we beat last year’s total.
“The majority of this money was raised on the day of Good Friday – that’s a lot of money to get from Camperdown and surrounds on one day.
“We’d beaten Colac – they only got $37,000, so for Camperdown to beat Colac, it’s just crazy.”
A variety of organisations, clubs and activities contributed to the final total, including tins left in Camperdown businesses contributing close to $2000 for the appeal.
Door knockers roamed the streets on Good Friday, shaking tins and raising just over $4000.
This included Ms Kempton’s 13-year-old niece, Vogue Fleming, who managed to raise $1107.65 through her own efforts.
The Camperdown Motorcycle Club’s efforts at the Easter Yachting Regatta saw an additional $3348 added to the total on Good Friday.
A number of people made individual donations through phone calls, raising $2000, while envelopes distributed to schools across town brought in $500.
Ms Kempton said she was thrilled with the support from the community.
“The Hampden Social Club members (who donated $2149) always give us a couple of grand every year, and that’s from their day as well,” she said.
“Same with the Camperdown Motorcycle Club with members raising funds selling food up at the regatta on the Friday, so that’s a lot of money to take in.
“It was an enormous effort from the whole community.”
This year also saw strong focus on the township on a state-wide stage, with the televised Good Friday Appeal on Channel Seven doing a live cross to Ms Kempton at the Music by the Lake event, which raised $7400.
“My regional coordinator nominated us to have a live cross to Channel Seven – they rang me and livestreamed it on the regional board,” she said.
“They asked me a lot of questions about Music by the Lake – it was the first time I’d been down there as I’m usually busy helping coordinate at the Guide Hall.
“I think it’s great, especially since Music by the Lake does bring in so much money – anywhere between $6000-$9000.
“They thought it was a good reason to do a live cross to us, which it is.
“For a little country town like us to be nominated to do that is great.”
The combined efforts of Country Fire Authority (CFA) brigades around Camperdown saw $6500 added to the tally on Good Friday.
“I’d like to thank all the CFA brigades for their assistance,” Ms Kempton said.
“I know Chocolyn set up at their station rather than driving around on their trucks, and I heard it was really successful.
“The CFA do a lot for us.”
Derrinallum’s Good Friday Appeal saw the area raise $1360.24, while Lismore raised $1948.
Skipton also saw strong support for their appeal, raising a final tally of $2140.96.
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