Local kindy fundraiser goes above and beyond

The organising committee of local kindy mums were planning for 600 people to come, hoping for 1000, and were floored when about 1200 people poured through the gates. 

Amazingly, they didn’t run out of any food or drinks though – something organiser Bronwyn Brunton, Frogs Hollow, Theodore, said came down to one key factor. 

“We are mums so we are prepared for anything,” she laughed.

“I can't put it any better than that; we all know that you always have a backup, and that's what we had.”

There was an aim to raise $10,000 on the night, and Mrs Brunton said she was quietly hoping for $15,000 – but so far, the estimate is at closer to $20,000 for the local kindy, which is currently without turf or swings. 

”The night went amazingly – it exceeded our expectations in every way,” Mrs Brunton said.

The celebrity steer ride attracted the most attention on the night, with four kindy dads, a kindy aunty, and the local cop auctioned off in a calcutta-style event, and then out to ride a steer to the delight of the crowds.

The calcutta alone raised $5400 after the prize money was handed out – and Mrs Brunton said it was especially humbling to see Burnett Livestock purchase winner Beau Surawski for $1250, and then donate their prize money back. 

”We were amazed - we probably hoped to get a couple of hundred dollars for each rider,” Mrs Brunton said. 

There’s no doubt over whether the event will run again next year – with a date already locked in, and sponsorships rolling through the doors. 

“We can't even walk down the street without someone stopping us to ask about next year, or congratulate us on this year,” Mrs Brunton said.  

“We've got the date booked for next year, so now we’re just working on what to do to make it bigger - we’re possibly looking into getting fireworks with it, and really raising our prize money so the competitors that come would be phenomenal.”

See all the social photos of who came along here.

See the celebrity steer ride photos here.