Lifestyle & Entertainment
29 March, 2026
Community fundraiser driven by gratitude and experience
WHAT began as a family’s way of giving back has grown into one of Stawell’s most significant community fundraisers — and this year, organisers are looking to build on that momentum. The Thomas Foods Good Friday Appeal Family Fundraiser will return today - Sunday, March 29 - bringing an afternoon of entertainment, activities and community spirit to the Stawell Racecourse, all in support of the Royal Children’s Hospital.
Behind it is a deeply personal story.
“Eighteen years ago, our son was born with congenital heart disease,” organiser Carla Thomas said.
“He was our first and he had open heart surgery at five and a half months of age.”
The experience left a lasting mark on the family, who became regular visitors to the Royal Children’s Hospital over many years.
“At one stage, we were going there once a month, so we’ve seen firsthand how wonderful it is and how lucky we are,” she said.
That connection only deepened with their second child, who also required ongoing care.
“We also have another son, who was born three years later, and he’s also needed medical attention from the Royal Children’s Hospital for the first 10 or so years of his life, so we’re regulars to the hospital.”
It is that lived experience — not just of treatment, but of the environment itself — that has shaped the fundraiser.
“It’s not a scary place, they make it fun, my boys always loved the days that we went there,” Ms Thomas said.
“Going to things like the Starlight Room, they just make it a fun and happy place.”
The family’s involvement in the Good Friday Appeal began with more traditional fundraising efforts, but three years ago they decided to create something bigger — an event designed to bring the wider community together.
That decision has paid off.
Last year’s fundraiser exceeded expectations, drawing a crowd far larger than anticipated.
“We were hoping for 200 people. We got 400,” Ms Thomas said.
The surge in support has prompted a move to a larger venue this year, with the event relocating to the Stawell Racecourse.
The shift gives organisers more room to grow the event and increase its fundraising potential.
“It’s a bit bigger, we can run our own bar, which means we can make more money for the appeal,” Ms Thomas said.
Despite the growth, the event remains largely a grassroots effort, driven by the Thomas family alongside a network of supporters.
“We do much of it ourselves,” she said.
“We’ve also had incredible community support, with businesses just coming to me without being asked, offering a donation.”
“That has been really lovely, people have just sent me an email or a message and said that their business would like to come on board.”
A partnership with Thomas Foods — which lends its name to the event — has also helped expand its reach, particularly through donated goods that can be raffled or auctioned.
The result is an event designed to be accessible, family-focused and centred on community participation.
Entry is set at $5, with most activities included.
“You don’t pay to go on the jumping castle. You don’t pay to have your face painted,” Ms Thomas said.
“The first 50 kids get a free show bag, there’s a petting zoo, kids activities, finger food, Easter Bunny.”
Live music, raffles and auctions will round out the afternoon, with proceeds going directly to the Good Friday Appeal.
For Ms Thomas and her family, however, the event is about more than the final total.
“It’s obviously about raising money, but it’s also about bringing people together,” she said.
With strong early momentum — including raffle sales already underway across town — organisers are hopeful of building on last year’s result.
The Thomas Foods Good Friday Appeal Family Fundraiser will be held from 1pm to 6pm on Sunday, March 29, at the Stawell Racecourse.
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