General News
26 June, 2025
Race Club backs local brigades
STAWELL Racing Club is doing its bit to support local volunteer firefighters by donating the gate takings from this year’s Halls Gap Cup.
The cup meeting on the 3rd of January coincided with the massive Grampians bushfire which saw numerous communities like Halls Gap closed down.
Most volunteer firefighters were involves in the massive firefighting effort and the Stawell Racing Club wanted to show its appreciation.
Despite the small attendance at the January meeting, the club still took over $1,000 in gate takings which was handed to the CFA this week.
The club’s Operations Manager Rachel Samsonenko said it was fitting to donate the proceeds to local firefighters who spent weeks battling the fire.
“(The Halls Gap Cup) was when all the fires were on and Halls Gap was shut down and it cost us attendance because people go camping at Halls Gap over Christmas and they all come into the races but (this year) there were no people.
“We took a gold coin donation at the gate and (despite low numbers) we raised $1,100,” she said.
The generous donation will be spread across all units in the Stawell Fire Brigade Group which includes Stawell, Callawadda, Dadswells Bridge, Glenorchy, Halls Gap, Joel Joel, Marnoo and Wallaloo.
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