Fundraising force

By Mara Pattison-Sowden
THERE were gasps of amazement when Wandin Rotary Club handed over a $20,000 cheque to help the flood-devastated north-Victorian town of Charlton last week.
Wandin Rotary organised the auction and silent auction fundraiser to support the small town and invited Charlton Rotary Club president Ric Walklate and former AFL legend Graham Teasdale to the event last Thursday 17 March.
Wandin Rotary president William Pond summed the night up best by saying: “the full force of the floods has nothing on the full force of a rotary club”.
The night had many supporters and sponsors, including the Mail, and Coldstream’s Stones of the Yarra Valley donated its venue and meals for the evening.
Wandin Rotary member Neil Tassell said rotary groups aimed to target individuals.
“Funds are like a drop in the ocean but Rotary tries to pick a particular place to help save that one little fish so you know where your money is going to,” he said.
Mr Walklate, “a true blue Charltonian”, told guests that after 15 years of drought Charlton had floods in September and November, ending with the devastating 14 January flood.
“It was the largest flood in our history, more than a metre high throughout the main street,” he said.
“It was clear water until 6pm Friday when the river burst its banks and the sewerage came into the main streets.”
Mr Walklate runs the local pub and spent 36 hours fighting to keep the flood waters out.
“Eighty per cent of Charlton went under, and 366 homes lost, it’s heartbreaking,” he said.
“Wherever you look there’s work to be done.”
After eight weeks the 1100 strong community is starting to get back on its feet, the most important thing getting students back to school, he said.
“It’s through the generosity of nights like tonight – it’s fantastic – that we at Rotary are trying to target individuals with help,” Mr Walklate said.
“We never saw this coming and hope we never see it again.”
A Collingwood 2010 premiership jersey was auctioned off for $200 and signed by former Pies player and Brownlow medalist Graham Teasdale, and bales of hay were auctioned and then donated to northern Victorian farmers.
More than 150 community members helped make the night a success, spending just over $9000 on the auctions sponsored by a range of local businesses and services.