Tag Archive for: Mudgee

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Mudgee Winter 2026 Highlights

Rotary Mudgee Sunrise Changeover Dinner with Can Assist members Kellie Smith and Hunter, Betty Holland, Cheryl Stuart, Louise Schmidt, John Stuart

In June, Kellie Smith (President) Hunter (helper), Louise Schmidt (joint secretary), John and Cheryl Stuart (joint treasurers) and Betty Holland (member) had the privilege of attending the Rotary Mudgee Sunrise changeover dinner where we were honoured and totally surprised to accept a $15,000 donation from Rotary Mudgee Sunrise.

Adding to the surprise Louise Schmidt, John Stuart, Cheryl Stuart and Betty Holland were individually awarded with the Paul Harris Fellowship Award for their service to Can Assist Mudgee.

The Paul Harris Fellowship is named for Paul Harris, who founded Rotary with three business associates in Chicago in 1905. The Fellowship was established in his honour in 1957 to express appreciation for a contribution of $US1,000 to the humanitarian and educational programs of the Rotary Foundation.

Those programs include an array of projects that save and invigorate the lives of people around the world and enhance international friendship and understanding. Foundation programs provide educational opportunities, food, potable water, health care, immunisations and shelter for millions of persons. These activities are funded, implemented and managed by Rotarians and Rotary clubs around the globe.

Rotarians also designate a Paul Harris Fellow to recognise another person whose life demonstrates a shared purpose with the objectives and mission of The Rotary Foundation to build world understanding and peace.

Mudgee Small Farm Field Days
Community Volunteer, Andrew Smith, Can Assist members David Mears, Phil Tucker, Louise Schmidt with Federal Member for Calare Andrew Gee

Mudgee Branch again accepted the invitation to conduct a community catering stall at the Mudgee Small Farm Field Days on 10th and 11th July. It was another successful event with over 2,000 bacon and egg, sausage, steak and rissole sandwiches plus soft drinks and water sold. $13,200 raised which included a donation of $4,000 from Peabody – Wilpinjong Coal towards the purchase of the meat. Mudgee Lions again provided the BBQ and several volunteers with support also from community volunteers. Chill-Rite again donated the hire of the cool room.

 

Mudgee Can Cruise 2026

In its 18th year, the annual Can Cruise Mudgee one-day car and motorcycle rally was a major success, raising $36,000. Moolarben Coal was proud to be one of the major supporters for another year.

Can Cruise Mudgee is always a key fundraising event for the Mid-Western Region. The rally commences from the Mudgee Showground and travels through the CBD before continuing a road cruise through the stunning Mudgee region to Windeyer for a BBQ lunch with live entertainment and fun activities for everyone.

John Stuart, Coordinator for the Cudgegong Cruisers, was delighted with the success of the day.

“The Can Cruise event is our primary fundraising activity for the year, raising money for country people affected by cancer.

“It was a hugely successful and busy day. We had over 160 cars, trucks, motorbikes and tractors come along and we cooked around 340 bacon and egg rolls for breakfast.

“Every year, Can Cruise brings together the community for a great day of displaying cars, bikes and trucks. It travels through the Mid-Western Region, raising awareness and much needed funding.”

Cancer can place an unexpected financial strain on families, particularly in regional areas where treatment often means long-distance travel, time away from work and extended stays away from home. Costs can quickly build across fuel, accommodation and ongoing medical expenses, adding another layer of pressure during an already difficult time.

Through its network of branches across NSW, Can Assist works at a grassroots level to ease that burden, providing practical and financial support so people can focus on their treatment rather than the cost of it.

“Can Assist have 55 branches throughout the state that work tirelessly to provide financial assistance and practical support to country people affected by cancer during their treatment and care,” said John.

“We are so proud we can facilitate this car and motorcycle rally year on year to raise much needed funding for the Can Assist Mudgee Branch who serve our community.

“Having the support of organisations like Moolarben Coal is vital to ensure this event continues to happen for the benefit of people who are suffering in our community.”

Moolarben Coal Acting General Manager, Tim Slater was proud to continue the sponsorship.

“Can Cruise always unites the Mudgee community and we are pleased to support the event for another year.

 

thecoalface.net.au

May 1, 2026

Colvin Community Award

This year marks a special milestone for Can Assist with the introduction of the Colvin Community Award, created in our 70th anniversary year to honour the long and proud association with the Colvin family. Inspired by Jean Colvin’s tireless work supporting people facing cancer, and strengthened through the ongoing commitment of Patron John Colvin, the award recognises quiet achievers whose sustained efforts keep local branches strong and country patients supported. 

Mudgee — Cudgegong Cruisers 

For nearly two decades, the Cudgegong Cruisers have turned their passion for motoring into a powerful force for good. Their annual Can Cruise – complete with BBQ, auction and a colourful convoy – has raised significant funds over the years, helping Mudgee residents access vital support during treatment. 

Parkes — Central West Car Club 

The Central West Car Club has also stood firmly beside its community for more than 15 years. Through ongoing shows and events, the club has contributed many tens of thousands of dollars, ensuring the Parkes Branch can assist locals with travel, accommodation, medication and other essentials during cancer treatment. 

Narrandera — Header Drivers Convention 

For over a decade, the Header Drivers Convention, driven by organiser Neil Seidel, has grown from a small local fundraiser to a major community event. Their efforts have resulted in substantial contributions that directly benefit Narrandera cancer patients. 

Manning Valley — Gary Bridge & Family 

Gary Bridge transformed personal heartbreak into community impact. In honour of his daughter, he created the Kristylea Bridge Charity Cup Football Day, later expanding his efforts to include a charity race day. Gary and his family have since raised an extraordinary total that has deeply strengthened the Manning Valley Branch. 

A Message of Thanks 

“Every one of these recipients reminds us what community truly means,” says Can Assist CEO, Nici Andronicus. “Their generosity may happen quietly, but its impact is loud and life‑changing. We are deeply grateful for the support they show to country people facing cancer.” 

 

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2026 Mudgee Can Cruise

Can Cruise 2026 conducted by Cudgegong Cruisers was another huge success with $36,000 raised on the day. The auction alone contributed $21,000. This now brings the total raised for Mudgee Branch from the 18 events held since 2009 to $298,000. Over 160 cars, trucks, motor bikes and tractors registered with 340 bacon and egg rolls cooked for breakfast.

Can Assist members accepting the cheque from Cudgegong Cruisers along with Rebecca representing Yancoal Moolarben.

CEO Nici attended to present the Colvin Award to Cudgegong Cruisers for their outstanding fund raising over many years and also got behind the BBQ flipping the many eggs served at breakfast.

Nici making presentation of Colvin award to family of Ian Carter who along with Glenn Box started Can Cruise 18 years ago.

After breakfast, award presentation and auction vehicles cruised out to the village of Windeyer for a BBQ lunch cooked by the Windeyer Progress Association.

Yancoal Moolarben have been major sponsors of the event for many years through their Community Support Program.

Can Cruise 2026 vehicles on display

Can Assist Mudgee Branch Australia Day Awards

 

A big CONGRATULATIONS to our Treasurers John and Cheryl Stuart who were nominated for Citizens Of The Year at the Mid Western Regional Councils Australia Day awards.
John and Cheryl work tirelessly for CAN ASSIST Mudgee Branch and we all appreciate what you do immensely.
Congratulations again and such a worthy nomination.

Mudgee auction night

John Stuart and Kellie Smith from Mudgee Can Assist and TJ Lee and Marnie Robbins from First National Real Estate Mudgee. Can Assist handed the First National team flowers and a framed certificate for their hard work in holding the auction night.

 

Vastly more valuable than the sum of its parts, support group Can Assist Mudgee needs money to operate and support people in the region and their families living with cancer. In the last financial year, Can Assist Mudgee has helped 95 cancer patients in the region.

Support for those people cost approximately $78,000, so when First National Mudgee raised $11,342 at an auction night, the team at Can Assist were chuffed.

The sum was raised during an auction night and raffle held at the Lawson Park Hotel on June 15 where it was revealed that a whopping 12,000 raffle tickets were sold.

“We greatly appreciate the support that First National gave us… the amount that First National raised for us in this auction will support probably between eight and nine community members in a year, so it’s huge,” Kellie Smith from Can Assist said.

Among the items up for grabs on the night were a three-night stay at Burra Murra Farmstay, lunch and wine tasting for two at Walter Wines and a home and garden makeover from Bliss Backyard and Cleaning.

“We just appreciate Can Assist letting us help, and especially our team, they all put in a lot of work – the Lawson, for letting us hold it there – all the donators, [we’re] incredibly grateful,” Marnie Robbins from First National Mudgee said.

 

10th July 2024

centralwesterndaily.com.au

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Mudgee Can Assist Australia Day 2024 Nominees

Mid-Western Regional Council announced the residents and organisations nominated for the 2024 Australia Day Awards.

The region’s Australia Day Ambassador, Professor Ron McCallum AO will be presenting the awards at Robertson Park, Mudgee on Friday January 26.

Can Assist Mudgee has been nominated for the Volunteer Services Award.

A HUGE THANK YOU TO OAK TREE MUDGEE

Community spirit is alive and well at Oak Tree Mudgee. This morning Village Manager Bec handed to Can Assist Mudgee $1,476.75 being the funds raised from our recent Market Day. Can Assist made $500 on the BBQ making a grand total of $1,976.75.

Mudgee Small Farm Field Days

Mudgee Branch again held a food stall at the Mudgee Small Farm Field Days over 2 days in early July. We sold over 2,500 items of food including bacon and egg rolls, sausage, rissole and steak sandwiches as well as water and drinks. Despite the very cold weather the event was again extremely successful with a profit of $11,200.

Branch members hard at work preparing sandwiches, Elizabeth, Annie, Eileen, Betty and Louise

Mudgee Small Farm Field Days

Branch member John with community members who volunteered for the day, Jason, David and John

Tag Archive for: Mudgee