CFA members participate in toy run

 

Residents of Campaspe Shire suffered devastating floods in 2022 and 2023. The Red Knights Chapter 14, a motorcycle club for fire service volunteers, wanted to support the affected Rochester community.

 

The members decided that a toy run would bring some joy to the children and give them a happy start to 2025.

On the day of the toy run, storms were predicted in the Shire of Campaspe, but the Red Knights went ahead with the planned ride to deliver hampers and toys to the facilitators, Rochester Salvation Army.

Riders gathered at the Star Hotel in Echuca, and members of the Red Knights were joined by several members of the Southern Warrior Motorcycle Club.

As the rain eased the riders gathered for an Indigenous smoking ceremony led by Southern Warrior member Mick Bourke, who recited the blessings in both the Indigenous language of the Yorta Yorta and in English.

The President of the Southern Warriors, Jason Kelly, presided over Welcome to Country reciting the time-honored stories of the past, explaining the connections to the land, skies, rivers and animals of Australia, bestowing blessings and knowledge of country on the riders and the event.

After the ceremony the journey began. The first stop was the Ky Club, which provided morning tea and shelter from the drizzle. Several businesses in Kyabram allowed The Red Knights to put collection boxes around the town for people to donate new toys to the cause.

The riders continued to Rushworth, where local CFA brigade members provided lunch.

The group continued on the back roads through Stanhope and onto Rochester where they delivered the donated Christmas food hampers and toys to Rochester Salvation Army.

 

Submitted by	News and Media