News

Duo cycles for a cause that hits home

By Jemma Jones

Nov 25, 2025

They’re back on the road and ready to clock more than just kilometres.

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A year on from their last month-long ride for charity, Vonda Meloni and her beloved shih tzu Ted are back, this time raising money for the Kyabram Gift.

For all of November, Vonda will be raising money for the local cancer support charity with Ted sitting pretty in the bike’s basket, shooting the breeze.

The dynamic duo decided to return for another mammoth month of cycling because Vonda had witnessed firsthand how cancer had deeply affected the community in the past year.

“Over the last 12 months, there’s been a lot of people in this community and surrounding that have died from cancer,” Vonda said.

“So Ted and I thought, we’d keep it in the community — and any funds that we raise is to help those that are struggling and help families that are struggling with cancer.”

The gift offers practical support through fuel vouchers for appointments, grocery vouchers, assistance with pharmacy bills and help to make special occasions such as Christmas more manageable.

Vonda Meloni and her shih tzu Ted are back on the road, this time for the Kyabram Gift. Photo by Jemma Jones

And while Vonda does all the pedalling, it’s very much a team effort, with Ted as the face, and emotional support, of the campaign.

Ted is a beloved local figure, working as a therapy dog and bringing joy to elderly residents at Kyabram and Tongala aged care facilities.

Vonda said Ted brought a smile to every face he came across.

“It’s amazing the effect that Ted has on these people,” Vonda said.

“We were visiting this elderly lady in hospital and her family mentioned she was laying there lifeless until Ted rocked up.

“Her face lit up like a Christmas tree — we made her day … we hope to ... (do more of) the same through this campaign by supporting the gift.”

Vonda doesn’t have a goal other than to raise as much and ride as many kilometres as humanly possible within the month, hoping to beat her 601km record she clocked last year.

“Every cent helps, so please donate if you can,” she said.

Vonda said people could donate by visiting locations in Kyabram where she has placed donation tins, including Bakers Delight, Morocco’s, Craig’s Creations and the newsagency, all on Allan St.

People can also donate online via internet banking using BSB: 803078, account number: 100072578 (GMCU) and adding ‘Teddy’ to the banking details to help keep track of donations.