The Allan Labor Government is donating $1 million on behalf of all Victorians to this year’s Good Friday Appeal, reaffirming the state’s deep ties with the Royal Children’s Hospital (RCH) and its lifesaving work.
Now in its 94th year, the Good Friday Appeal has raised more than $468 million since it began. This year, once again, Victorians are being asked to show up for their youngest citizens—whether it’s through pocket money or major corporate cheques. Premier Jacinta Allan and Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas joined families and staff at the RCH before heading to the Kids Day Out at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, a bustling day of fun and generosity.
The Premier described the donation as a gesture from every Victorian. “My family, like so many others, has a special connection to RCH—we will never forget the care and dedication of the doctors, nurses and the many other wonderful people at the hospital who changed our lives,” Allan said.
Each year, donations to the Appeal help fund the hospital’s most urgent needs—from cutting-edge technology and specialist staff training to crucial research led by the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute and the University of Melbourne’s Department of Paediatrics.
The RCH is more than a state asset. It serves as a hub of paediatric excellence not just for Victoria, but for Tasmania, southern New South Wales and beyond. The hospital also houses the Nationally Funded Centres for cardiac and liver transplants, placing it at the heart of specialist care for children across the country.
The Premier’s visit wasn’t just symbolic. It marked the beginning of another year of fundraising aimed at extending that care beyond Melbourne. This year, as in 2024, a portion of the raised funds—$3 million—will be distributed across six major regional hospitals and smaller rural facilities. These include Barwon Health, Bendigo Health, Goulburn Valley Health, Grampians Health, Latrobe Regional Health, and Albury Wodonga Health, continuing efforts to ensure kids receive quality care without needing to travel far from home.
Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas called the Appeal “a tradition that showcases the best of Victoria’s spirit,” and praised the hospital staff for their dedication. “The RCH has a place in the hearts of so many Victorians—and that is thanks to the unwavering commitment of the doctors, nurses, allied health workers, and support staff who make it so special,” she said.
The regional focus isn’t just for show. It builds on the $2.5 million regional distribution in 2024 and is designed to make paediatric care more accessible, wherever children live. “For the second year running, the Appeal is supporting kids in every corner of the state,” Thomas added.
Last year’s Appeal broke records, pulling in more than $23 million. This year, the government’s early $1 million contribution is intended to rally momentum, particularly with families facing economic pressure. It also sits alongside Labor’s broader health spend, which now exceeds $21 billion in the 2024/25 budget—a figure aimed at expanding hospital capacity and bolstering workforce support.
For a government frequently scrutinised on health delivery in rural and suburban areas, this show of early generosity may serve dual purposes—one rooted in community goodwill, the other in political positioning. But for thousands of Victorian families, the Appeal is personal.
The Royal Children’s Hospital has provided care to the state’s youngest residents for more than 150 years. And for many, the yearly Good Friday telethon has become part of their Easter long weekend—sandwiched between hot cross buns and backyard egg hunts.
Donations to the Appeal continue to be accepted online via goodfridayappeal.com.au, with every dollar going towards the care of kids who need it most.
As Premier Allan put it: “The Good Friday Appeal has become an Easter tradition where Victorians dig deep for our beloved hospital—and every dollar counts.”
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😊 The Allan Labor Govt donates $1M to the Good Friday Appeal, supporting Royal Children’s Hospital’s urgent needs & regional care. 😊 Since 1931, the appeal has raised $468M+ for paediatric excellence across Victoria & beyond. #TheIndianSunhttps://t.co/OxD274adWh
— The Indian Sun (@The_Indian_Sun) April 20, 2025
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