Red Shield Appeal committee chairman Mark Huston, former Brisbane Broncos player Steve Renouf,  Major Neil Dickson, from Brisbane; and Major Allan Kerr, from Kingaroy
Mayor Cr Wayne Kratzmann and Red Shield Appeal launch compere Bob Coleman

May 3, 2013

The South Burnett’s annual Red Shield Appeal officially kicked off yesterday morning in Kingaroy … and who best to do it, than one of the region’s best-known and most-talented footballers?

Murgon-born Steve Renouf played 11 years with the Brisbane Broncos and still holds the club record for scoring the most tries in a season.

He’s also a Salvo lad, growing up in the church in Murgon under the influence of his mother.

Steve was the guest speaker at the annual Business Breakfast at the Kingaroy RSL Club which launched the appeal.

The breakfast is fully sponsored so there’s no cost to the Salvos, and it’s usually a good fundraising opportunity for them.

This year was no exception, with a total of $5730 raised from the 67 guests.

That leaves about $10,000 to go to reach the target set by the local appeal committee.

Red Shield Appeal committee chairman Mark Huston said the target of $15,000 was not huge “but it is a hard target to get”.

He rejected concerns that funds raised are spent outside the area.

“We get more back into this community than we collect,” he said.

One of the Salvation Army projects in the South Burnett which is funded by the Red Shield Appeal is the Rural Chaplaincy program run by Neville Radecker.

This program provides one-on-one support for the region’s farmers.

* * *

A big concern for the appeal organisers is the need to attract volunteer doorknockers.

“Last year we would have been lucky if we covered one-quarter if Kingaroy,” Mark said.

If you’d like to volunteer for the doorknock – which will be held on May 26 – contact Kylie Birch on (07) 4162-5246.

Doorknockers under the age of 15 must be accompanied by an adult.

Salvation Army’s George Woods with Cr Kathy Duff and Major Caroline Kerr