What started as a simple act of community spirit has turned into something truly remarkable. Attendees of the Father's Day Perth Makers Market at Goolugatup Heathcote in Applecross on Sunday 6 September collectively donated $5,000 through voluntary parking donations, and when Applecross Rotary increased their donations, some markedly, the combined contribution reached $10,000 for the RAWCS Nepal Flooding Disaster Relief Fund.
The fund was established to provide urgent relief to individuals, families and communities devastated by the recent flooding disaster in Nepal. RAWCS (Rotary Australia World Community Service) is a Rotary non-profit organisation that has been delivering humanitarian, development and disaster relief projects both in Australia and internationally since 1966, contributing more than half a billion dollars in aid across 45 countries over that time.
Parking at Perth Makers Market events is managed entirely by volunteers from the Applecross Rotary, who give up their time at every market to ensure the event runs smoothly for thousands of attendees. Rotary member Ken Williams, who was on the ground managing parking on the day, said the response from the Perth Makers Market community exceeded all expectations.
"When people heard about what we were raising the funds for they immediately doubled their donations," Mr Williams said. "It was so great to see the generosity of the community making all of our volunteer hours truly worthwhile."
Perth Makers Market is held at Goolugatup Heathcote in Applecross six times a year and is Perth's largest showcase of handmade small businesses, with over 150 local stallholders attending each event. The market draws thousands of visitors across the day and has become one of Perth's most beloved community events since its establishment in 2016.
The next Perth Makers Market will be held on Sunday 18 October at Goolugatup Heathcote, with Applecross Rotary once again managing parking on the day and looking forward to raising funds for further community projects.
Perth Makers Market extends its deepest gratitude to every attendee who contributed a parking donation on Sunday 6 September, and to the Applecross Rotary for their extraordinary generosity and ongoing commitment to the community.
To find out more about RAWCS and the Nepal Flooding Disaster Relief Fund or to make a personal donation visit RAWCS.