Shepparton Central Rotarian Peter Johnson, Shepparton South Rotarians Karen McMullan and David Earle, Shepparton Foodshare executive office Dee Healey, Shepparton Central Rotarian Allen Gale and Mooroopna Rotarian Ken Faulkner at Shepparton Foodshare in Mooroopna.
Photo by
Bree Harding
They came, they roared, they conquered — and they left a whole lot of dollars in their tracks, including thousands to support local charity in the adrenaline-filled process.
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On the Friday night of the event, 32 members from four Rotary clubs — Shepparton, Shepparton South, Shepparton Central and Mooroopna — combined forces to feed around 650 Harley-Davidson enthusiasts at Kialla’s MOVE museum.
There were 650 mouths to feed on the Friday night of the three-day rally.
Club members also cooked 390 egg and bacon rolls throughout the weekend to satisfy the HOG riders’ hunger.
They aimed to raise $10,000 through their joint catering efforts, but bettered it by more than $5000 with a grand total of $15,283.
“We’re just thrilled that it worked so well and we were able to support Foodshare,” Rotary Club of Shepparton South member David Earle said.
“All the Rotary clubs are big supporters of Foodshare. Only by our combined efforts were we able to pull it off.”
On the menu were lamb koftas, honey soy marinated chicken steaks, pork — or HOG — sausages, pasta and green salads, coleslaw, and cakes and fruit salad with ice-cream for dessert.
Mr Earle said the clubs liked the challenge of big events, such as the Biggest Ever Blokes Lunch that they cater for each year, last year raising $270,000 for prostate and bowel cancer support nurses at Goulburn Valley Health.
The local Rotarians volunteered their time in the lead-up to, and during the HOG Rally, with Mr Earle estimating 400 people hours went into the event.
Rotarians from Greater Shepparton join forces to feed a tribe of 650 bikers.
This financial year and next, Shepparton Foodshare has received Victorian Government funding to cover its small staffing model; however, the financial support does not extend to its operating costs.
Foodshare relies on its own fundraising efforts to cover those.
“We are thrilled to be the recipient of these funds that will directly contribute to these operating costs, including fuel, utilities, maintenance, insurances and more, helping to ensure we can continue to distribute food for free to people who need it most,” Shepparton Foodshare executive officer Dee Healey said.
“We are so grateful for this contribution, it was an absolutely mammoth task for the Rotary volunteers to prepare and cook that many meals.”
This financial year to date, Shepparton Foodshare has distributed 40 per cent more food than the same time last year, consisting of more than 500,000kg (equivalent to one million meals).
Ms Healey said Shepparton Foodshare was grateful for the ongoing support of many local food manufacturers, growers, retailers and financial donors, such as the local Rotary clubs.
She said it was with community support that the service could endeavour to keep up with the growing demand for food relief locally.
Rotarians Karen McMullan and Margaret Oldfield stay busy behind the scenes.
Members of the Rotary clubs of Shepparton, Shepparton South, Shepparton Central and Mooroopna, with City of Greater Shepparton Mayor Shane Sali.
Rotarians Mary-ann Linehan and Jeanette Sabri work in the kitchen.
Shepparton Central Rotarian Allen Gale, Shepparton South Rotarians Karen McMullan and David Earle, Shepparton Foodshare executive office Dee Healey, Mooroopna Rotarian Ken Faulkner and Shepparton Central Rotarian Peter Johnson in the warehouse at Shepparton Foodshare in Mooroopna.
Photo by
Bree Harding
MOVE’s function area was bustling with bikers on the Friday night of the three-day rally.
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