Friends of the Foundation

The Friends of the Foundation committee (FOFz) was formed in 2011 and is the fundraising arm of the Wimmera Health Care Group Foundation. It is an active, enthusiastic, committed group of volunteers. The FOFz have raised over $300,000 for the Foundation since they commenced in 2011. Scroll through the posts below to view events FOFz have held over the years. FOFz put the FUN into FUNdraising!

Find us on Facebook for the latest news and events by the FOFz.

For further details on how you can support Friends of the Foundation, please contact the Foundation administrator on (03) 5381 9098 or by email at foundation-horsham@gh.org.au.

“Runt” Movie Night – 19th September 2024 Featured Image

“Runt” Movie Night – 19th September 2024

Sep 19th, 2024

On 19 September 2024 the Friends of the Foundation had a successful movie night raising $2,002 for the Wimmera Health Care Group Foundation. Thank you to the volunteers for all their work. They are pictured above.

Lili Vogue & Two-T’s Spring/Summer Collection Event – 12th September 2024 Featured Image

Lili Vogue & Two-T’s Spring/Summer Collection Event – 12th September 2024

Sep 12th, 2024

The Two-T's label Spring/Summer collection celebration raised $411 for the Wimmera Health Care Group Foundation. A huge thank you to Robyn at Lili Vogue for the going support of the Foundation. Also thank you to the Friends of the Foundation for their support on the night. "GIVE WHERE YOU LIVE"

“Force of Nature: The Dry 2” Movie Night – February 2024 Featured Image

“Force of Nature: The Dry 2” Movie Night – February 2024

Feb 14th, 2024

The Friends of the Foundation held another successful movie night with more than 90 people attending raising $2,621 for the Foundation. Thank you FOFz.

Wines in the Vines at Norton Estate Featured Image

Wines in the Vines at Norton Estate

Nov 12th, 2023

It was a stunning day for the 7th Wine in the Vines organised by the Friends of the Foundation on 12 November 2023. Over $13,700 was raised for the Foundation. An amazing result! Thank you to everyone who contributed and especially to Norton Estate for their generosity in providing their venue and exclusive wines for the auction.

“Sound of Freedom” Movie Night – August 2023 Featured Image

“Sound of Freedom” Movie Night – August 2023

Aug 24th, 2023

The Friends of the Foundation together with Rotary Club of Horsham East held another successful movie night raising $1,150.50 for the Foundation. Thank you to the wonderful volunteers.

The Australian Women’s Weekly: 90 Years of an Australian icon Exhibition Featured Image

The Australian Women’s Weekly: 90 Years of an Australian icon Exhibition

Aug 8th, 2023

Unfortunately this event did not have enough interest to go ahead.

Flannie Friday Fundraiser-June 2023 Featured Image

Flannie Friday Fundraiser-June 2023

Jun 9th, 2023

On Friday 9 June 2023 many businesses in Horsham and Natimuk donned their flannellette shirts to work and made a donation to the WHCG Foundation.  Over $3,100 was raised.  Another great FUNdraising event by the Friends of the Foundation.

“Book Club: The Next Chapter” Movie Night – May 2023 Featured Image

“Book Club: The Next Chapter” Movie Night – May 2023

May 11th, 2023

On 11 May, 2023 the Friends of the Foundation (FOFz) held another successful movie night featuring the film "Book Club: The Next Chapter".  Thank you FOFz, who raised over $3,790 for the Foundation.  

“Fisherman’s Friends: One and All” Movie Night – February 2023 Featured Image

“Fisherman’s Friends: One and All” Movie Night – February 2023

Feb 23rd, 2023

On 23 February 2023 the FoFz, together with the Rotary Club of Horsham East, held a very successful movie night fundraiser featuring the movie "Fisherman's Friends: One and All" The movie raised over $2500 with 100 people attending the evening.

Big Band Bash Variety Concert – 29 May 2022 Featured Image

Big Band Bash Variety Concert – 29 May 2022

As part of the 150 year anniversary commemorations of the Horsham Rural City Band, a community concert was held at the Horsham Town Hall on Sunday 29 May 2022. The Big Band Bash Variety Concert featured the City Band and young students of the Development Program. Murtoa’s Red Hot Marmas Community Choir were also there. $2,000 WAS RAISED AND DONATED TO THE WHCG FOUNDATION-Thank you

Elvis Exhibition, Bendigo Art Gallery – May 2022 Featured Image

Elvis Exhibition, Bendigo Art Gallery – May 2022

May 10th, 2022

It was a very successful day at the Elvis Exhibition on Tuesday 10 May 2022 which was attended by 85 people and the FOFz raised $2,975.

“The Duke” Movie Night – March 2022 Featured Image

“The Duke” Movie Night – March 2022

Mar 31st, 2022

On 31 March 2022 the FoFz, together with Rotary Club of Horsham, held a sensational movie night fundraiser featuring the film "The Duke". The very successful night raised $1,956 with over 80 people attending.

James Bond “No Time to Die” Movie Night – November 2021 Featured Image

James Bond “No Time to Die” Movie Night – November 2021

Nov 17th, 2021

On 17 November 2021 FoFz held a movie night fundraiser "No Time to Die" which was very successful in raising $2,355.

Norton Estate Wines in the Vines – November 2021 Featured Image

Norton Estate Wines in the Vines – November 2021

Nov 7th, 2021

Wines in the Vines at Norton Estate on 7 November 2021 raised a massive $11,486.  This included ticket sales, wine auction and a raffle.   We thank the volunteers who make it possible and all the local businesses that donated amazing prizes for the raffle and auction.  Over six years of hosting Wines In the Vines, a grand total of $47,140 has been raised and donated to our hospital. Great work everyone.

Wartook Gardens Open Day – October 2021 Featured Image

Wartook Gardens Open Day – October 2021

Oct 2nd, 2021

Almost 600 people enjoyed the Wartook Gardens Open Day on 2 & 3 October 2021.  Royce and Jeanne Raleigh converted an open paddock into a 5 acre multi-award winning garden, which is one of Victoria’s best native gardens.  The Friends of the Foundation raised a fabulous $7,806.

Penguin Bloom Movie Night – February 2021 Featured Image

Penguin Bloom Movie Night – February 2021

On 3rd February 2021 the Friends of the Foundation (FOFz) held another wonderfully successful and fun movie night, selling 108 tickets to the film "Penguin Bloom".

The Dry Movie Night – December 2020 Featured Image

The Dry Movie Night – December 2020

In December FOFz held a movie night fundraiser featuring the film "The Dry". The night raised a whopping $3,225.30. What an awesome effort for their first event in 10 months!

6th Annual Great Wimmera River Duck Race – November 2018 Featured Image

6th Annual Great Wimmera River Duck Race – November 2018

Launch of the Great Wimmera River Duck Race - October 2018 In keeping with our tradition, yellow was the colour of the day for the launch of the Great Wimmera River Duck Race at Café Jas. VIPs including Emma Kealy MP, Member for Lowan, Cr Pam Clarke, Mayor of the Horsham Rural City Council and launch sponsors Sharron Keating from Café Jas and Graeme Eldridge from Axis Employment were special guests at the launch. A special duck colouring competition sponsored…

Wines in the Vines – November 2018 Featured Image

Wines in the Vines – November 2018

Wines in the Vines at Norton Estate on Sunday, 11 November was a fantastic day filled with laughter, fun, great music and wine (in the vines). Our friends at Norton Estate are ongoing supporters of the Foundation and we sincerely thank Chris and Sam Spence for hosting this event which raised a massive $7,300 for the Foundation. We also thank Jeff Woodward, Graeme Walsh Refrigeration, Lili Vogue, Your Regional Butcher, Grampians Olive Co and Nick McIntyre who all contributed to…

Melbourne Cup Luncheon – November 2018 Featured Image

Melbourne Cup Luncheon – November 2018

Once again, the Friends of the Foundation joined forces with Quota International to host the annual Melbourne Cup Luncheon at Horsham’s Westside Tabaret. Guests were treated to a light luncheon with raffles and sweeps continuing throughout the afternoon. Prizes were presented to Lady of the Day, Hat of the Day, Gentleman of the Day and Tie of the Day. Thank you to the local businesses who sponsored this event and guests who attended on the day.

Ladies in Black Movie Night – September 2018 Featured Image

Ladies in Black Movie Night – September 2018

Another successful movie night was held with guests enjoying drinks and canapes prior to a wonderful show. An Australian film highlighting the impact of European migration to Australia and the rise of women's liberation in 1959 in a charming way.

Mamma Mia – Here We Go Again! Movie Night Featured Image

Mamma Mia – Here We Go Again! Movie Night

Jul 19th, 2018

A huge thank you to everyone who came along to our Mamma Mia – here we go again! movie night in July. This fantastic event raised a whopping $4,500 for the Friends of the Foundation and the Professor George Kannourakis’ Fiona Elsey Research Centre in Ballarat. We sincerely thank Ace Radio Pty Ltd, Morrow Motor Group and everyone who helped pull this fantastic event together.    

Masons, Bendigo – May 2018 Featured Image

Masons, Bendigo – May 2018

On 19 May 2018, the Friends of the Foundation hosted an exclusive loooonnnnng lunch at Masons in Bendigo, where guests were treated to a range of fabulous share style dishes featuring some of Central Victoria's finest produce. We sincerely thank Masons for putting on an amazing spread and everyone who came along and joined us for a fun day out. Another fantastic FOFz event.

Shiraz & Snags Lazy Sunday Afternoon – April 2018 Featured Image

Shiraz & Snags Lazy Sunday Afternoon – April 2018

The weather was perfect for the crowd who enjoyed the Friends of the Foundation's Shiraz 'n Snags lazy Sunday afternoon at the iconic Old Mill in Hazel Street. This regular event on the Friends of the Foundation's social calendar is the brainchild of Don McRae, Wimmera Health Care Group's Clinical Services Director by day and winemaker by night. Guest enjoyed Don's award winning Son of Grace wines and handcrafted pale ale, delicious locally made gourmet sausages from Your Regional Butcher…

The BBQ Movie Night – February 2018 Featured Image

The BBQ Movie Night – February 2018

Thanks to the 54 people who attended The BBQ movie night on 22 February 2018. Guests were treated to a delicious range of home made BBQ themed finger food and drinks in the Legacy building before being handed a special bag of Lindt chocolates and making their way next door to Centre Cinema for the movie, an Australian comedy featuring Shane Jacobson, Magda Szubanski, Julia Zemiro and Manu Feidel. Our sincere thanks lo everyone who donated prizes, food and beverages…

Wines in the Vines – November 2017 Featured Image

Wines in the Vines – November 2017

The weather was perfect for third annual Wines in the Vines event at Norton Estate on Sunday, 12 November. Guests were treated to a complimentary glass of wine, delicious shared platters and entertainment by local musicians Geoff Woodward, Peter Daffy and Peter Miller under umbrellas on the lawn area, Many guests took advantage or a bus service to the event provided by Shauna Heard. Generous hosts, Chris and Sam Spence donated some unique and limited edition wines for auction and…