THE fun and frivolity of Royal Ascot came to Cohuna last Thursday as local women helped raise $4000 for the Cohuna District Hospital.
Seventy ladies enjoyed lunch, won raffles and watched one of the Spring Racing Carnival’s biggest events televised as part of the Cohuna District Hospital Auxiliary Oaks Day event at the Cohuna Golf Club.
One of the organisation’s biggest annual fundraisers, those who attended dressed in their racing best to match the theme, based on one of England’s iconic sporting venues.
“This year the hospital requested for the funds from the lunch to purchase privacy and blackout partitions for the wards,” auxiliary president, Linda Moloney said.
The majority of funds raised on the day came from sweeps that occurred for each race from Flemington, as well as a spinning wheel and raffle.
Proceeds from the auxiliary’s major raffle – which saw members sell tickets in King George Street – and a $100 donation from teenager, Brodie Hawken achieved by busking in the town the previous weekend, boosted the overall figure.
Adrian Stone won the major raffle, with Marion Borneman claiming the raffle drawn on the day.
This year’s event was also the first time the celebrations have linked in with the Big Cohuna Festival, providing extra exposure to the festivities and the organisation.
“Being a part of the Big Cohuna Festival was a great help as it was good to have word about the event spread around,” Mrs Moloney said.
“We are looking forward to having a bigger and better event next year.”
