General News
28 April, 2025
Locals left gutted as Good Friday Appeal fails to hit the streets
For the first time in over three decades, Avoca’s Good Friday Appeal intersection collection was unable to go ahead this year leaving organisers and locals deeply disappointed.
For the first time in over three decades, Avoca’s Good Friday Appeal intersection collection was unable to go ahead this year leaving organisers and locals deeply disappointed.
Longtime volunteers Kaylene Rayner and Brian Bearpark, who help spearhead the local appeal efforts, were left disheartened when it became apparent on Good Friday that the required permits for the main intersection collection had not been issued.
“It was a disappointment to the brigade because we’ve actually been doing the children’s hospital appeal for 35 plus years,” said Brian.
The missed opportunity was especially felt given the event’s history of community support and strong fundraising.
Over the past 30 years, Brian estimates that around $150,000 has been raised locally for the Royal Children’s Hospital.
“We are going to try and push harder next year to make sure,” he said.
Despite this year’s setback, the organising team is already thinking ahead, exploring new ways to maintain momentum and community spirit.
“We did have a discussion that we’d put a bit of a working group together and do a few sort of raffles or collections throughout the year. If we can get enough volunteers, maybe do a door knock of the town on the Good Friday instead of standing at the crossroads,” he said.
Still in the early stages of planning the team hope to come up with a plan for next year’s appeal.
“Nothing is set in concrete at the moment, but there’s a few of us that will get together and have a bit of a discussion about it. It’s one of those charities that people want to be associated with and donate to.”
Kaylene Rayner echoed the community's confusion and concern.
“There’s a lot of people disappointed and couldn’t understand why after 35 years it had been knocked back,” she said.
“It’s not a traffic light as such, it’s just a stop light and a stop sign. So Vic Pol won’t do the permit. We certainly won’t do it without their permission,” she said.
Kaylene praised Pyrenees Shire staff for their efforts.
“The Pyrenees Shire was so helpful, even up to Wednesday night before the appeal they were still canvassing trying to get the permit through.”
Determined not to let the setback derail their efforts, Brian drove the fire truck through the river flats of Avoca on Good Friday to reach campers and visitors directly.
“As soon as they saw the fire truck, they knew what was happening,” said Kaylene.
Thanks to the generosity of the Avoca community, a total of $3,516 was still raised.
With renewed resolve, the team hopes to bring the intersection collection back in 2026, stronger and more supported than ever.