By Dongyun Kwon
The Rotary Club of Healesville handed out the funds, raised at the 2023 Dogs Day Out, to local schools and organisations on Thursday 9 May.
The donation was about $12,000 given to eight local schools, Healesville CFA and Healesville Junior Football Club.
Healesville Rotary Club community services director Dr Ian Tinney said the rotary club decided to prioritise helping schools with the funds.
“This year, we decided to help schools because everybody is going through a tough time with the high cost of living pressure,” he said.
“We’ve heard a lot of teachers say that there are a lot more disadvantaged kids who have been missing breakfasts, uniforms and excursions. All the things are purely because they can’t afford it.”
The great majority of Dogs Day Out profits came from the great generosity of many businesses in town.
“We went around the town before the Dogs Day Out event and asked local businesses if they would help out as sponsors,” Dr Tinney said.
“They have our sincere thanks because, without their help, we would not be able to act as a conduit to help the people who are struggling and sorely in need of help at the moment.”
The charity presentation night was held successfully at Sanctuary House Restaurant in Badger Creek with many guests including school principals and students from Worawa Aboriginal College, Chum Creek Primary School and Toolangi Primary School.
The rotarian said they would hold the charity event again in the future.
“Dogs Day Out itself is a good fun dog show and also is a way of showing the community that we are involved in community events and charities,” Dr Tinney said.
