March 5, 2026
Kingaroy Men’s Shed members can now rest after hosting another big Dinner Under The Stars fundraiser for the LifeFlight Foundation.
Men’s Shed president Eric Ford said 194 people attended last Saturday’s event, down a little on last year, but he expected the amount of money raised could be more after all the figures were added up.
“At the end of the day, it was a nice pleasant night,” Eric said.
He said the music – provided by The Ground Crew, Natalie Fenton and Alice Benfer – was much appreciated by the crowd.
The biggest highlight for the Men’s Shed was when retired local businessman Ken Mills stepped forward and offered to pick up 60 per cent of the cost of the major raffle prize, a zero-turn mower.
The other 40 per cent had already been donated by Ken Mills Machinery and Kubota.
“That was a big gesture by Ken,” Eric said.
The auction, conducted by Dennis Cotter, also went well with LifeFlight teddy bears raising about $200 each.
Eric said he wanted to thank Martoo Meats and Sunpork / Swickers for supporting the night, as well as the musicians and volunteers.
Guest speaker was Ken Mills Toyota service manager Tyler Favier who suffered a life-threatening medical condition when he was aged 11.
He was airlifted by a rescue chopper in a critical condition from Kingaroy Hospital to the Mater Children’s Hospital in 2011.
Tyler also took part in a Q&A panel session with LifeFlight representative Amy Agius, from the Sunshine Coast, and Dinner Under The Stars committee members Susan Robertson and Cr Danita Potter.
Winner of first prize in the raffle was Amelia Davis, from Jandowae, who took home the $8200 42″ zero-turn Kubota mower.
Second prize, a Honda whipper snipper donated by Ollies Mowers, was won by Liz and Andrew Cooper.
