Christmas in July Fundraiser a Flying Success
The Rotary Club's inaugural Christmas in July Fundraiser in support of the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) was an overwhelming success, with around 74 guests enjoying a spectacular evening of fundraising, entertainment and community spirit.
From the moment guests walked through the doors, they were immersed in a true Christmas wonderland. The Murray Bridge Golf Club was beautifully decorated, creating the feeling of Christmas Day in the middle of winter.
One of the highlights of the evening was the incredible display of around 80 raffle prizes, all lovingly wrapped and presented by Roxanne. The 14 silent auction items also proved extremely popular, generating plenty of friendly competition throughout the night.
Following the official welcome, guests heard from Jenny Phillips, who spoke about the important work Rotary does within our local community and around the world. We were then privileged to hear from Narelle from the Royal Flying Doctor Service, who shared the incredible impact of the RFDS across Australia. As one of the world's largest and most comprehensive aeromedical organisations, the RFDS delivers emergency medical care, primary healthcare and inter-hospital transfers to people living, working and travelling in rural and remote Australia. Every day, RFDS crews provide lifesaving care to communities that would otherwise have limited access to essential health services.
Guests were then deeply moved by Fiona Scutter, who shared her own personal experience with the Royal Flying Doctor Service, highlighting the compassionate care and support her family received firsthand. Her story was a powerful reminder of why fundraising for the RFDS is so important.
A delicious three-course meal was then served, prepared by the Murray Bridge Golf Club chef together with two volunteer chefs. A special thank you goes to our wonderful servers—Roxanne, Sandy and Yollette—whose efficiency and friendly service ensured every meal was delivered promptly and with a smile.
Once the formalities concluded, guests danced the night away to the fantastic entertainment provided by The Kneebones, whose great mix of music kept the dance floor busy all evening.
It was wonderful to see so many local businesses and corporate groups supporting the event, with many guests travelling from Adelaide to be part of the evening. The festive spirit was certainly alive, with some fantastic Christmas outfits adding plenty of colour and fun to the celebrations.
A sincere thank you goes to Tom Haigh, who did an outstanding job as Master of Ceremonies, keeping the evening flowing while adding plenty of humour and energy.
The event would not have been possible without the generosity of our food sponsors.
We also extend our heartfelt thanks to the many other businesses and individuals who generously donated raffle prizes and silent auction items. Your support played a significant role in making the evening such a success.
Most importantly, thank you to every volunteer who gave their time before, during and after the event. Your dedication and teamwork created a truly memorable evening. We may have even welcomed a new Rotary member as a result of the event—a wonderful bonus!
The feedback from guests has been overwhelmingly positive, with many already asking when the next Christmas in July Fundraiser will be held.
A huge thank you to everyone who attended, donated and supported the event. Together, we have helped raise vital funds to support the lifesaving work of the Royal Flying Doctor Service while also enabling Rotary to continue making a positive difference in our local community.
