Tin shaker
Kevin Potter is known to many people in Warragul but in the week leading up to Easter he becomes a very familiar face around the streets as he tin shakes for the Good Friday Appeal.
The Warragul resident is an icon across West Gippsland when it comes up to the annual Good Friday Appeal, notching up almost 40 years in the volunteer role.
Appeal organisers describe Kevin as a “true legend” but Kevin as a little more modest, while chuffed by the compliment he just laughs it off and says “no not really.”
Kevin loves this time of year and particularly loves being able to distribute the infamous Good Friday Appeal tins to about 33 stores in Warragul.
If not busy enough, Kevin also this year has taken on management of the appeal in Drouin, after his friend Len Peacock died last year. “I just enjoy doing it,” he said. And why wouldn’t he, Warragul and Drouin has raised more than $470,000 for the appeal.
Kevin says the year they got to $50,000 for West Gippsland was “just crazy” but very rewarding.
Kevin’s first involvement with the appeal was through the Uncle Bob’s Club, and he is still an active branch member.
He served as state vice president and state secretary for many years.
Kevin said he still co-ordinates volunteers for the annual tin shake, which will occur this year at the Victoria and Albert St traffic lights between 9am and 1pm on Thursday.
He said tin shaking was always busy at the old Queen-Smith St traffic lights when it used to be the highway route through town.
“People are always happy to give money when they know it’s going to the Good Friday Appeal,” he said.
But while Easter week is their busiest with collecting tins, tin shaking and selling raffle tickets, Kevin said the fundraising efforts run all year.
“Next year I intend to step back,” Kevin said, admitting that he may have said that once or twice before.
The Good Friday Appeal, established in 1931, is the largest fundraiser for The Royal Children’s Hospital. About 100,000 volunteers across the state will assist with the appeal.
Last year, appeal funds helped support life changing health outcomes for children through innovative programs and projects, including brain tumour clinical trials, purchasing life changing and lifesaving equipment and technology and developing innovative models of patient and family centred care.