The bartenders were at the ready and the band was set to play.

Stalls had been set up and the crowd was beginning to mingle through. The aroma of sausages drew the sound of the gold coin being dropped into the tin.

Back for it’s third year, Zeke’s Fundraiser was launched at the Terminus Hotel at 5pm.

A warm welcome and thank you to the following businesses participating in 2015:

Dymocks Bookstore Bendigo owned by Harry & Jen Hart – Steve and Eileen

Avon – Jo C Rayes

ENYO – Kanon Cunningham

Flaschengeist – Rebecca Tobin

Inspiration at Home – Amanda MacDonald

Lorraine Lea Linen – Kylie Geddes

Nadia Bish Massage – Nadia Bish

Nurtimetics – Vicki Boram

Park lane Jewellery – Donna Cameron

Scentsy – Christine Dolby-Freestone

Tupperware – Stacey Reeves

Zeke’s Fundraiser also welcomed ANNE CRAWFORD, Author of RALF, published by Allen & Unwin for personalized book signings from 6pm til late.

Travelling all the way from the big smoke of Werribee, Billy and Rebecca Bridge (plus 3 little bridges), wowed the crowd at 7:30 through til close when they kicked off their first set. Their harmonious yet strong vocals echoed throughout the building, getting the kids up on the dancefloor immediately. Their huge variety of genres provided enjoyable entertainment for all ages and it was fantastic to see them back for a second year.

The pub became dead silent at 8:30 as people where shown the incredible journey that Zeke has gone through. From a liver transplant til today, Zeke has changed to a happier and healthier child, and his family no longer fear about what Zeke is consuming and how much protein it contains. Its a fear that ruled their lives for just over 3 years. Now 15mths post transplant, Zeke has enjoyed his first real Birthday (with a protein-laden icecream cake), his first real Christmas lunch (full of ham and pudding) and now his first real Easter (full of chocolate!) out of hospital, all milestones celebrated in his hometown Wycheproof!

The Auction went off without a hitch, Ian “mudgey” Mudge became the man of the important hour as he injected his talent and humor into the crowd, getting them to reach deep even after a poor farming year for many. The true community spirit shone through by 10.30pm once the auction had concluded and thousands of dollars were pledged to be donated to the fundraiser for the Good Friday Appeal .

THE AUCTION:

#1 SOLD $120 – Signed RALF book & Fundraiser Shirt sponsored by Zeke’s Fundraiser
#2 SOLD $400 – Anzac Sand Medalion (Gallipoli) sponsored by Authentic Autographs (R:375)
#3 SOLD $300 – Samsung Tablet sponsored by Yvette Polley, Telstra
#4 SOLD $450 – HRT Grid Walk for 2 People sponsored by Morris Finance
#5 SOLD $60 – Sunraysia Natural Hampers sponsored by Sunraysia Natural Beverage Company
#6 PASSED IN – Global Balloon Voucher 2 people w/breakfast Yarra Valley sponsored by Global Ballooning (R:670)
#7 SOLD $400 – Like Father Like Son Essendon Hand Signed sponsored by Authentic Autographs (R:350)
#8 SOLD $85 – Lush Us Candles Gift Pack sponsored by Lush ‘us Candles $85
#9 SOLD $110 – Brown Brothers – 6 bottles Wine sponsored by Brown Brothers
#10 SOLD $600 – Geelong Football & Accomodation sponsored by Panus Oceania & Morris Finance
#11 SOLD $80 – EGO Gift Pack sponsored by EGO Pharmaceuticals
#12 SOLD $150 – Murray River Cruise for a Family 1hr sponsored by Murray River PaddleSteamers
#13 PASSED IN – Scott Pendlebury Anzac Day Match Boot Hand Signed sponsored by Authentic Autographs (R:650)
#14 SOLD $50 – Sunraysia Natural Hampers sponsored by Sunraysia Natural Beverage Company
#15 PASSED IN – Global Balloon Voucher 2 people w/breakfast Yarra Valley sponsored by Global Ballooning (R:670)
#16 SOLD $400 – Essendon vs Collingwood 10 Reserve Seats sponsored by Yvette Polley, Telstra & Collingwood FC.
#17 SOLD $1200 – Holiday to Samoa – 2 People for 7 Nights* sponsored by Authentic Autographs
#18 SOLD $200 – HRT Hot Lap for 1 Person sponsored by Morris Finance
#19 SOLD $200 – Load of Wood (6×4) sponsored by H&G Pty Ltd
#20 SOLD $110 – Dilmah Tea Hamper sponsored by Dilmah
#21 SOLD $100 – 4 Regular passes to Flemington sponsored by VCR
#22 SOLD $400 – Black Cavier National Treasure Hand Signed by Nolen & Moody sponsored by Authentic Autographs (R:300)
#23 SOLD $50 – Sunraysia Natural Hamper sponsored by Sunraysia Natural Beverage Company
#24 SOLD $200 – ‘Days Past’ by Chantel Renae Photography sponsored by Chantel Renae Photography
#25 SOLD $80 – Signed Melbourne Star Cricket Bat sponsored by Melbourne Stars
#26 SOLD $200 –  Zeke Fundraiser Football Jumper sponsored by Industry Media
#27 SOLD $300 – HTC Desire Smartphone sponsored by Yvette Polley, Telstra.
#28 PASSED IN – Ponting Test Years Hand Signed sponsored by Authentic Autographs (R:300)
#29 SOLD $100 – Sukin Gift Pack sponsored by Sukin
#30 SOLD $580 – HRT Pit Lane for 10 people sponsored by Morris Finance

#31 SOLD $320 – Sony Package sponsored by Telstra Business Centre Mildura

#32 SOLD $100 – Darriwill Hamper

#33 SOLD $210 – Carlton Dry Esky & Slab

#34 SOLD $180 – Meal Voucher for 6 at the Terminus Hotel

TOTAL OF $7835.00

The fantastic selection of prizes in the raffles had tickets flying out the door – thank you to “Mrs H” for her enthusiasm and effort in selling tickets and getting the crowd involved! The raffle and BBQ raised over $800. The Terminus Hotel have donated a percentage of sales. Personal donations were also presented to Zeke’s Fundraiser and from that they are pleased to say that all efforts have raised over $9000.

From the ZEKE FUNDRAISER FACEBOOK PAGE….

“Wow what an awesome night! It was incredible to see a pub of 150+ people dead quiet whilst Zeke’s Movie played. Not many dry eyes in the building – understanding Zeke’s journey is an emotional one and the message from the team at Zekes Fundraiser is to continue funding research and care for the sick children at the RCH!
Thank you to everyone who came and supported the event – you will be contacted personally over the next few weeks as the 2015 event get wrapped up. Without the support of helpers and sponsors this event could not proceed so a huge Thankyou to you!”

Comments from Supporters, Guests and of course the Team….

• "Good company, music, food, lots of kids running round everywhere – an all-round great night at Zeke's Fundraiser at the Terminus Hotel in Wycheproof at the weekend. On ya Laura and Corey! Congrats to Doug for being the winning bidder for the paw-printed and signed "Ralf" at auction, and thanks, Steve and Eileen from Dymocks Bendigo for bringing books", Anne Crawford, Author.

• "Some great highlights from last night! Congratulations to all involved!", Jozef Horvat, National Sales Manager at Panus Oceania

• "Industry Media - proudly supporting The Royal Children's Hospital Good Friday Appeal and Zeke's Fundraiser again in 2015! #givethattheymaygrow #donatenow #1300APPEAL", Industry Media - Promotional and Media supporter of ZF

• "Zeke's Fundraiser 2015.  An incredible night for an exceptional cause. #goodfridayappeal #communityspirit #zekesfundraiser", Yvette Polley, Telstra.

• "Rocking #zekes's (@zfteam) Guernsey for a little bit tonight with @ydp_2015. Zeke had a major liver transplant last year at the young age of 3, and thanks to the royal children's. young Zeke is now fighting fit. Zeke's fundraiser raised nearly $10K for the @goodfridayappeal this year! Boom!", Samarth Noyce.

• "Cheers Good Friday Appeal #RCH #zekesfundraiser", Amanda Driscoll.

“WELL, what an amazing weekend, when you organize and event and are unsure of who is actually coming, it scares the hell outta you. I can not thank the strong team we had this year, Shane & Sandra Cox, Shan Reed, Jozef Horvat, Yvette Polley, Tamkia & Sam Harrison, Billy & Rebecca Bridge, Harry & Garry, Belinda Harrison and anyone else I haven’t mentioned. Was amazing to see the locals that did support and especially the locals that returned back to Wycheproof Victoria for the weekend. Thank you and thank you again. And I can’t forget the lady behind it all Laura Bish! Top work all round. #thankyou bring on #2016″

Corey Harrison, Director.

“So many amazing people to thank. Shane & Sandra Cox, Shan Reed, Jozef Horvat, Yvette Polley, Tamkia & Sam Harrison, Billy & Rebecca Bridge, Harry & Garry, Anne Crawford, Rikki Suminga, Mark Hall, our Auctioneer Ian Mudge, and all our other sponsors, supporters and everyone who travelled a great distance to be here THANKYOU.
Also a big thank you to Corey Harrison for great MC work last night, selling raffle tickets and being the amazing dad he is! Thank you to Belinda Harrison for being a great Granny, looking after our little men whilst we were busy with everything. All the work that goes on behind the scenes is amazing – even for little events like this one! THANKYOU!!!!! xx”

Laura Bish, Director.