Donations humble organisers of annual seafood fest

Jessica Benton
LOCAL fisherman and businesses are digging deep to supply a smorgasboard of seafood and entertainment for next week’s Queenscliff Seafood Feast.
Chairman Grant Talbot said the event had already gathered more than $290,000 worth of donated products and services, including beer, portable toilets and gallons of seafood.
Proceeds would go to the Royal Children Hospital’s Good Friday Appeal.
“We’ve been able to transform a country fete into a major event,” Mr Talbot said.
“The Good Friday Appeal is ingrained in Australian philanthropic history. I’d consider it Australia’s number-one charity event of the year.”
Mr Talbot said overhead costs for the feast were below $20,000 for the first time in the event’s eight-year history, which meant more money for the appeal.
He hoped the feast would raise more than $200,000.
Mr Talbot said the level of donations in the wake of Victorian’s Black Saturday bushfires was humbling.
“The minute there’s an emergency, Australians put their hands in their pocket and, when it comes down to sick children, that’s at the top of the giving-back ladder.”
As well as fresh local produce, the event will feature family entertainment and an auction of items including household goods, accommodation packages, dining vouchers and hampers.
The feast runs from 11am Good Friday at Queenscliff’s Princess Park.