By Callum Ludwig
The regular Butcher’s BBQ in Woori Yallock is coming to an end from Saturday 30 July as Woori Yallock Butcher’s Rod Brooke closes up his shop.
The final event will be fundraising for the Hoddles Creek Junior Fire Brigade.
Woori Yallock resident Perry Carter said Mr Brooke is a very community-minded guy.
“He’s just a good guy, fairly quiet, and he’s not going to be comfortable with the publicity, but we can’t let him go without giving him some sort of recognition,” he said.
“The community is sad to see him close the shop, and we had a discussion at a CFA meeting about what we could do to show him we appreciated all the good work he’s done over the years.”
Since 2018, Mr Brooke has raised a total of $6496.20, having supplied sausages and the gas for free and up until a couple of years ago even supplied the barbeque until it needed replacing for over 12 years.
Mr Carter said he is hopeful to see another butcher fill the void left by Mr Brooke.
“Hopefully, but at this stage, we have no idea. Over the last couple of years, I think we have seen people choose to buy their meats from supermarkets more because it’s cheaper, and that’s made it hard,” he said.
“Butchers, in general, are finding it difficult with supermarkets selling their meat for cheaper, and having better buying prices as well, but we’ve been buying Rod’s meat for years and it’s good stuff, you sure get what you pay for.”
Over the years Mr Brooke has supported the SES, Red Cross, Rotary, CFA and various other organisations. A total of $3850.05 has been raised and distributed to the four local Primary Schools in the WHYLD (Woori Yallock, Hoddles Creek, Yellingbo, Launching Place and Don Valley) area for Kids In Need and $2646.15 was raised in aid of the three local Fire Brigades.
Mr Carter said community shop owners like Mr Brooke are super important.
“Especially during the Covid times, when we couldn’t travel very far, it was so so handy to have the shops there in Woori rather than have to travel to Lilydale and those sort of places,” he said.
“We’ve asked a lot of the people that have had something to do with Rod and his barbecues over the years to come along and just be there and let him know that you know, we’re sad to see him go, but we appreciate what he’s done.”
Anyone is welcome to the last barbeque at the Woori Yallock Butcher at 8/1585 Warburton Highway, Woori Yallock between 10am and 11am to thank Mr Brooke and see him presented with an award recognising his efforts.
