Goldfields organisations, community groups benefit from Rotary Club of Boulder’s fundraising efforts

Local projects and events received funding on Tuesday night at the Rotary Club of Boulder’s beneficiaries evening where its 2023 fundraising efforts were celebrated.

This year’s online radio auction pulled in $205,000, the largest sum of any year, and allowed the club to not only award funds to the groups selected but also include additional groups with the leftover funds.

Radio auction chair Stuart Fleming said he was proud to announce the $90,000 in sponsorship of the auction did not come from any mining or resource companies.

“You can see the businesses out here have dug deep into their own pockets,” he said.

Mr Fleming was also proud to have awarded Murphy Boyden Real Estate with a Paul Harris Fellowship in recognition of Margaret Boyden’s 18 consecutive years of gold sponsorship.

Nineteen local organisations and community groups received funding from this year’s efforts, and the club donated $100,000 to the auction’s major beneficiary, Goldfields Family Assistance Fund.

Goldfields families can seek financial support through the fund when they have to travel to Perth or stay in Perth when their child is receiving medical treatment.

In a message to the club, Perth Children’s Hospital Foundation chief executive Carrick Robinson congratulated the men on achieving another incredible year of fundraising.

“PCHF is thrilled to continue working with you to provide for support local kids, families and carers across the Eastern Goldfields at a time when they need it most,” he said.

“You should be so proud of the work that you do to make the Goldfields Family Assistance Fund possible.

“This fund is a critical lifeline for Goldfields families in need, helping to fund their transport, accommodation and other expenses.

“It takes a huge amount time, energy and heart to achieve these results, so thank you for all that you do to ensure that sick kids in the Goldfields can have access to world-class care, so that they can get well and stay well.”

The organisations and community groups which received funding from this year’s radio auction shared where the money will go to support their projects and events.

The Goldfields Football League colts will use their funding to support travel of their top talent to an annual carnival, EPIC will renovate its property to make it more accessible, and Youthcare will use the funding to increase the number of chaplains they can send to local schools.

The Leonora Youth Centre will use the funding to support young basketball players in travelling to tournaments, extra resources and play equipment will be purchased for O’Connor Primary School’s early childhood classrooms. Coolgardie Primary School Parents and Citizens committee will use the funds to support the school’s Year 6 camp.

Remaining community beneficiaries include Boulder Scouts, Kalgoorlie Scouts, Artisan Blacksmiths, Kalgoorlie-Boulder Urban Landcare Group, Hannans Primary School, East Kalgoorlie Primary School, Goldfields Regional Toy Library, Goldfields Community Mile, Kalgoorlie District Pony Club, Kambalda Community Garden, Church of Christ, Boulder Primary School, St Joseph’s Primary School, Coolgardie Primary School, Kalgoorlie Central Playgroup, and Coolgardie Junior Volunteer Fire Brigade.

The club also supports its own projects through the fundraising including the community defibrillator project, Grab N Go bags, high school scholarships, the community barbecue trailer and a few Rotary programs.

With a total $2.9 million raised in 38 years, the club is anticipating hitting the $3m milestone at next year’s online radio auction.