By Tyler Wright
The Rotary Club of Emerald & District has teamed up with Puffing Billy Railway to hold a marathon BBQ fundraiser during the Train of Lights spectacle.
Rotary volunteers have taken up a spot at Gembrook Railway Station every night since Thursday 22 June, braving the cold and wet weather for 18 days to cook sausages for punters local and state-wide alike travelling on the lit-up locomotive.
The Train of Lights, now in its second year of operation, will finish on Sunday 9 July.
BBQ organiser and rotary club member John Henderson said it is the first time the rotary club has been a part of the event, with about 35 members doing various stints throughout the three weeks.
“Some are doing six or seven nights and others two or three, but they’ve all rallied round and are doing great things,” Mr Henderson said.
“It’s 266 passengers every night on the train and and it’s lovely to meet and mix with them…they come from all over Victoria, not just Melbourne.
“Every one of them has got a huge smile on their face no matter what the weather, and there are lots of children on board, especially, and they are loving the experience.”
The current BBQ fundraising tally is sitting at around $2,500, Mr Henderson said, with a target of between $5,000 and $6,000 in total to inject back into the community.
“Our sausages come from Emerald Village Meats, the bread comes from Cockatoo Bakery, and we get some of our onions from the Emerald Fruit Barn, so it’s good to be able to use and support local businesses at the same time.
“Last year we raised about $50,000 for the Monash Children’s Cancer Centre. We do the deb ball, that raises around about $12,000.
“Whatever we raise locally, we will spend locally, helping people that need it more.”
Mr Henderson said if the fundraiser is successful, the club will look to continue its participation in coming years.
“I know Rotary people joke [that] Rotary are famous for doing sausage sizzles, but we’ve never done 18 nights on the run before,” he said.
