Donors right across Australia have dug deep for the local foundations of the Country Education Foundation of Australia network, raising a staggering $453,412 during this year's Matched Giving campaign.
The campaign, which was supported by a private philanthropic organisation, ran during September and October, with all funds raised by each local foundation matched dollar for dollar, capped at $5000 per local foundation.
CEF CEO Juliet Petersen said the extra funds would make a huge difference to students in the areas of each local CEF foundation.
"Our committees have once again embraced CEF's Matched Giving Campaign, with the results of their fundraising efforts surpassing previous years. This year our local foundations raised a massive $304,000 in just 2 months which, combined with the matched donation, generated more than $450K which will all go towards student grants for 2024," she said.
Fundraising events that took place during the second half of this year's campaign included the 'Hilltops Ramble', hosted by CEF Young, and a Melbourne Cup luncheon fundraiser hosted by CEF Canowindra.
Some of the fundraising events over the entire campaign period included:
- CEF Edward River: Deni Ute Muster Sand Pit competition
- CEF Gilgandra Dinner and Open Garden fundraiser
- CEF Namoi 'Nosh Narrabri' event stall
- CEF Young 'Hilltops Ramble', 21st October
- CEF Grenfell Fashion Parade, 14th October
- CEF Canowindra Race Lunch, 7th November
Over 30 people enjoyed morning tea, lunch, wine and cheese at three different locations for the Hilltops Ramble, which is one of CEF Young's main annual fundraisers, on Saturday 21st October.
Guests enjoyed morning tea and a history talk at Murringo Barracks and Art Gallery, a gourmet pizza lunch, history talk and beer tasting at Bulla Creek Brewery, and wine tasting, history talk and cheese platters at Grove Estate Wines.
CEF Young alumni Maddie Noakes and Annabelle Hudson were special guests and spoke about how their CEF grants have helped them in their studies.
CEF Young Chair Michael Jones said the event helped build awareness of CEF Young.
"People enjoyed hearing from our two students. It gave them a connection to us and what their donations go towards, as well as making them feel good about making a real difference for local students," he said.
Photos from the CEF Canowindra Melbourne Cup luncheon fundraiser on Tuesday, 7th November 2023.
CEF Canowindra's Melbourne Cup luncheon was held on Tuesday 7th November, with pre-sold tickets during the Matched Giving period qualifying it for the campaign.
Around 100 people turned out to the lunch at 'The Homestead' function marquee at 'Riverside', a property east of Canowindra, and enjoyed an afternoon of finger food, lunch, desert, drinks, a raffle, auction, fashions on the field, and of course watching the "race that stops that nation".
CEF Canowindra committee member, Peter Stacey, said the event was expected to raise several thousand dollars.
"People like to get out and be together. I think with Covid over the last couple of years, everyone has been hanging around for a good event to come to, and I think that helped us get the great numbers that we did," he said.
"We try to have events every year and change them. We've had concerts and film festivals in the past. We put events on in town to raise money and bring people together."
CEF would like to thank everyone who donated during Matched Giving. The money donated, combined with the matched giving allocation, has provided its local foundations with incredible support for rural and regional youth.
