Pulling together as a community is nothing new for the South-West town of Dirranbandi, but they outdid themselves at this year's Melbourne Cup Day event, raising $35,000 for the Dirranbandi Hospital Auxiliary.
A further $4000 was raised through raffle ticket sales on the day to add to the huge amount made through the auction-style horse sweep.
Auxiliary president Astrid Kennedy said the successful event was a much-needed day out for locals, and one that receives huge amounts of support every year.
"The Melbourne Cup Day, I'm not going to say it's nothing special, but it's nothing unusual for the community to do that," she said.
"Everyone loves it and supports it.
"It's an amazing day and we always go a little bit overboard, but when you're out in the middle of the dust, everyone just wants a day out."
Ms Kennedy said that there are so many things that the fundraising money could be used for, being a small country hospital that receives little funding.
"With this years money, there's so many things we could buy, like possibly a couple of recliner chairs with pressure relieving properties," she said.
"A couple of the residents are bed bound so that way we could get them up, take them outside and push them around, and they can also have a rest without having to go back to bed.
"One bloke likes to read and the verandah is roasting hot, so we want to put up some UV blockout blinds so Mick can sit outside and read his books without being cooked to a cinder.
"It's personal stuff that gives them a more comfortable life."
The multi-purpose health facility is currently home to five permanent residents who are well-looked after by doctors, nursing staff and the auxiliary.
"We make sure the residents have 1000 thread count sheets and homemade blankets, and fluffy towels and nice flannelette sheets in winter," she said.
"We also want a fish tank, as there's a couple of dementia patients in there and they would just love that.
"Little, nice things like that make it homely."
The auxiliary, who have approximately 50 members, are no strangers to big fundraising events, having raised $25,000 at their 2019 Melbourne Cup event despite the community suffering through a long-term drought.
"2019 was actually one of our biggest years, I think we had 120 people there, and everyone was in drought but we still raised $25,000," Ms Kennedy said.
"Even in the middle of a six or seven year drought, people still put their hands in their pockets.
"But you know, that's Dirranbandi."
Another example of community spirit was one nurse's challenge to ride her push bike from St George to Dirranbandi, raising $15,000 for the hospital.
"She was originally from a Brisbane hospital and she went to get the ultrasound and bladder scanner one day, only to be told we don't have one," Ms Kennedy said.
"She thought, right we need one, so she fundraised, and there's now an ultrasound machine at the hospital."
Ms Kennedy said the community is incredibly grateful for the hospital staff and facilities, which is proven by their outstanding support of all fundraising events.
"Because we have such a great hospital, we want to keep everyone there happy.
"If that means a coffee machine for the nurses, well that's what they get.
"It is a fantastic facility that is run by awesome people."
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