Damp November weather and a bogged tractor and seeder didn't deter farmer Murray McConachy from again putting in a paddock of sunflowers at Meredith to help raise funds for the Royal Children's Hospital in this year's Good Friday Appeal.
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Following on from last year's efforts, Mr McConachy said he was determined to get the flowers in, despite the less than ideal conditions. He says the roughly 20 acres he's put in is a little sparse, but there are still plenty of blooms to be picked.
His determination is born of personal experience.
"My young fellow had been in the hospital back in 2013, a respiratory issue he had when he was four years old. I'd heard of someone else doing growing the flowers to raise money; so I put it all together in my head and thought we'd give it a go, trying to raise some money for the Royal Children's Hospital," Mr McConachy said.
"And then, when we were sowing them back in late November we were getting bogged, but that was the time of the year and we had to get then into the ground to get them to grow. So we persevered and it doesn't look too bad. They're all between four-to-five feet tall."
Mr McConachy says there will be people available at the Meredith Sunflower Field to assist anyone who wants to come and choose the flowers, which will be for sale at $5 a bloom. He says there will be an option for people to pay by smartphone, as well as cash on the day, and that obviously all the proceeds will go to Good Friday Appeal to assist the RCH.
This year the Good Friday Appeal celebrates 90 years of raising money for children. Since 1931 the Appeal has raised much-needed funds for equipment, research and education to support The Royal Children's Hospital and whilst fundraising efforts are already underway, the Appeal will take place on Friday 2 April.
Donations can be made online at goodfridayappeal.com.au
The Meredith Sunflower Field is on the corner of the Midland Highway and Doyles Lane, Meredith, and the collection is open from 9am to 5pm, Saturday March 6. Murray McConachy says bring your secateurs or scissors to pick and cut a bloom.