The RCH150 Hospital Heroes Gallery celebrates the heroes of The Royal Children’s Hospital (RCH) – those who go above and beyond to make the RCH one of the world’s great hospitals for children.
From humble beginnings as a sporting carnival in 1931, the Good Friday Appeal has grown to become one of Australia’s most loved community events, raising over $381 million for the RCH over 90 years.
Explore where it all began through records from photo collections and the RCH archive, as we celebrate the Good Friday Appeal partners who continue the 90 year Legacy of Giving.
This gallery is in celebration of 90 years of the Good Friday Appeal.
From the past…
1931
Generation to Generation
The Murdoch family has been supporting the RCH for generations. Sir Keith Murdoch, Managing Director and Editor of The Herald and Weekly Times from 1921 to 1949, was instrumental in the development and longevity of the Good Friday Appeal. Continuing the family’s involvement, Dame Elisabeth Murdoch was Patron and President of the RCH Auxiliaries; her daughter Janet Calvert-Jones was on the Board of the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute; and her granddaughter, Penny Fowler AM, has been the Chairman of the GFA since 2013.
Photos courtesy of The Herald and Weekly Times Library.
1931
Where it began
In 1931 a small group of journalists from The Sporting Globe newspaper, part of the Herald and Weekly Times, organised a sports carnival raising a total of £427. The event was the inception of the Good Friday Appeal, which has now raised more than $381 million in its 90 year history.
In this photo sports commentator Ron Casey celebrates the funds raised with President of the Committee of Management, Dame Patricia Mackinnon, 1979.
Photo courtesy of the RCH Archives and Collections.
1931
The Herald and Weekly Times
For 90 years The Herald and Weekly Times has been championing the Good Friday Appeal across their newspapers and communications platforms such as the Herald Sun, Leader Newspapers, Geelong Advertiser and The Weekly Times. They support the Good Friday Appeal through sharing stories of patients, the hospital and fundraisers.
In this photo a newspaper boy distributes a Herald Sun and Weekly Times publication, 1950.
Photos courtesy of The Herald and Weekly Times Library.
1941
Uncle Bobs Club
Since 1941, Uncle Bobs Club has supported the Good Friday Appeal through entertaining fundraising and regional events.
In this photo Uncle Bobs Club President George Bassant tips money from a boot in the Uncle Bobs Club Counting Room, 1954.
Image credit: Laurie Richards Studio, photo courtesy of the RCH.
1942
3DB Broadcasters
The first broadcast of the GFA in 1942 by 3DB led to a huge increase in funds raised, from £900 to £8,210. Today the legacy lives on with the Good Friday Appeal’s media partners 3AW 693, ACE Radio Network and Nova Entertainment broadcasting the event.
In this photo 3DB broadcasters celebrate during the Good Friday Appeal Broadcast, circa 1952.
Photo courtesy of the RCH Archives and Collections.
1946
Money Counting Room
Over 200 volunteers facilitate the Money Counting Room, now held at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre on Good Friday to count donations. NAB, Herald and Weekly Times staff, and volunteers from Uncle Bobs Club have played an important role in the Money Counting Room each year for the past 70 years.
In this photo volunteers work the Money Counting Room, circa 1950.
Photos courtesy of The Herald and Weekly Times Library
1955
Telstra
Telstra’s support dates back to 1955 as the Good Friday Appeal’s generous telecommunications partner, connecting donors with phone room volunteers.
In this photo Dame Elisabeth Murdoch is answering phones during the telethon, circa 1950s.
Image credit: Laurie Richards Studio Studio, photo courtesy of the RCH
1957
Channel 7
For over 60 years, Channel 7 has broadcast a live Telethon filled with fundraisers, interviews with celebrities and patient families, and an entertaining evening show.
In this photo Geoff Raymond, Brenda Marshall, Bill Collins, and Toni Rees present the live Telethon in the Channel 7 television studio, circa 1960.
Photos courtesy of The Herald and Weekly Times Library.
…to the present
1931
The RCH Auxiliaries
The RCH Auxiliaries have been supporting the Good Friday Appeal since 1931, raising funds by selling their beloved handmade goods and other fundraising initiatives.
In this picture RCH Auxiliary members Helen Mann, Kay Reay and Barb Nicoll hold handmade toys to be sold as a fundraiser for the Good Friday Appeal.
Photographer: Jemma Gauci, RCH Foundation
1942
Regional Fundraisers
Regional fundraisers across Victoria have shown incredible support to the Good Friday Appeal, even during times of great hardship. Their fundraising activities range from roadside collections and door knocks to raffles, trivia nights and lamb sales!
In this photo Leroy Kelly from Boorhaman gets ready for another annual collection.
Image credit: Tim Carrafa
1951
Country Fire Authority
Since 1951, members and volunteers of the Country Fire Authority (CFA) members and volunteers have proudly raised money for the Good Friday Appeal, rallying together to gather collections from across Victoria.
In this photo CFA members Jess Meilak, Naveen Dhyani and Christine Hend celebrate the Good Friday Appeal.
Image credit: Andrew Henshaw
1969
Pied Pipers
Since 1969, the Pied Pipers have come together as a group of volunteers rattling tins, raising a total of $8.3 million for the Good Friday Appeal.
In this photo is Nicole Brogan and Cindy An outside the RCH.
Photographer: Patrick Riley, RCH Foundation
1970
Schools
Sirius College are one of hundreds of schools that support the Good Friday Appeal each year with activities ranging from Colour Runs, crazy hair days and movie nights.
In this photo students prepare for another great year of fundraising.
Photographer: Jemma Gauci, RCH Foundation
1988
Woolworths
Since 1988, the dedicated Woolworths team and their customers have raised $23.8 million for the Good Friday Appeal from in-store promotions.
In this photo Woolworths team members in North Melbourne shake their tins for the Good Friday Appeal.
Photographer: Jemma Gauci, RCH Foundation
1993
Charity House
Each year since 1993, Henley Homes has supported the Good Friday Appeal by donating a charity house for auction. In 2009, they were joined by Villawood Properties and, along with their big hearted tradespeople and suppliers, they have raised more than $16.2 million for the Good Friday Appeal.
In this photo is Mark Glenn of Henley Homes, and Rory Costelloe of Villawood Properties.
Image credit: Nicole Cleary
2006
Run for the Kids
For the past 15 years the Herald Sun Transurban Run for the Kids, has encouraged hundreds of families to get outdoors and get active while raising over $19 million for the Good Friday Appeal.
In this photo Run for the Kids Ambassador, Australian long distance runner Steve Moneghetti prepares for another run.
Photographer: Jemma Gauci, RCH Foundation
