Victorian government donates $1m to Good Friday Appeal

The Victorian government has made a large donation on behalf of Victorian taxpayers to Melbourne’s Royal Children’s Hospital.

Six-year-old Royal Children’s Hospital patient Mia Depuit with nurses Nic Lebrasse and Sharnaya Bevis. Picture: David Caird

The Victorian government is donating $1 million to this year’s Good Friday Appeal in support of Melbourne’s Royal Children’s Hospital.

Premier Jacinta Allan made the announcement at the fun-filled Kids Day Out fundraiser at Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre on Friday.

“I’m particularly proud to announce that the Victorian government will be making a $1 million donation to the 2024 Good Friday Appeal,” Ms Allan said.

“We’ve just come from the Royal Children’s Hospital where we’ve seen so many kids today who every day receive that world-class care from doctors, surgeons, allied health professionals, nurses and all the other staff who work there – who care for some of our sickest of kids, but also provide love and support to families as well.

“And so this contribution that we’re making is our way of saying thank you.”

In its 93rd year, appeal organisers are hoping to go one better than 2023, when a record-breaking $23 million was raised.

Penny Fowler, Good Friday Appeal board chair paid tribute to ordinary members of the community for donating their hard-earned dollars in a difficult economic climate.

“Obviously it’s a cost of living crisis at the moment, and while it is hard for everybody, I think the thing about the Good Friday appeal is everybody giving what they can and every dollar makes a difference,” said Mrs Fowler, who is also chairman of the Herald & Weekly Times.

“So every small donation, whatever you can do, makes a difference to us.”

For the first time, donations to this year’s appeal would also go toward boosting paediatric care at regional health services, as well as the RCH.

Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan, RCH chief executive Bernadette McDonald, and Good Friday Appeal chair and News Corp Australia community ambassador Penny Fowler. Picture: David Caird

Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas said the appeal brought out the best of Victoria and was an opportunity to “give back to our much-loved hospital”.
“And by sharing these donations with regional health services, it will make a real difference to the lives of kids right across Victoria,” she said.

Good Friday had special significance for Ms Allan, who spent her first Easter as a mother in the RCH while her daughter received lifesaving treatment.

“My family, we spent many months at Royal Children’s Hospital and have received that love and care while our child was also receiving specialist health care,” Ms Allan said.

“So today is a really special and emotional day for our family; this time of year is always a pretty emotional one in our household.”