How Rockingham Rotary and Local Legends Just Fuelled a Community Revolution
Rockingham Rotary announces $20,000 “Good for the Community” raffle winner
By Wade McColl (21/04/2026)
There is a specific kind of electricity that fills a room when you know someone’s life is about to change. At the invitation of Cindy (Rockingham Rotary Club Director / Bulletin Editor), the Baldivis Times went behind the scenes last night for the final draw of the Good for the Community Raffle.
Wayne Milnes, Rotary Community Director on the call with the raffle ticket winner. Photo by Wade McColl, Baldivis Times 2026.
A Life-Changing Win for a Local Resident
While the winner has chosen to keep their identity private, we can confirm the $20,000 grand prize was won by a local resident within the City of Rockingham. But the “good” didn’t stop there. In a surprise move of encouragement, the Rotary Club announced a $500 bonus for the specific community group that sold the winning ticket, acknowledging that because they don’t have massive advertising budgets, these groups rely entirely on “word of mouth” and community trust to succeed.
Mayor Lorna Buchan holding the winning ticket with Wayne Milnes, Community Director. Photo by Wade McColl, Baldivis Times 2026.
A Humbled Leadership
The evening featured reflections from local representatives who witnessed the draw. Mayor Lorna Buchan, who pulled the winning ticket, expressed her pride in the scale of the initiatives currently unfolding across the region.
“It’s really wonderful to see. And I’m quite humbled to be here as your mayor, and knowing what is happening across the city is huge, and it’s down to individuals and people like yourself, who put others before them.” - Mayor Lorna Buchan
Magenta Marshall MLA also shared her thoughts on the vital role these organizations play, noting that the collective effort of small groups creates a ripple effect of positive change that “traditional” systems often miss.
Davina Reid, Mind the Walk. Photo by Wade McColl, Baldivis Times 2026.
The Real Heroes: Who Your Tickets Supported
The “Good for the Community” model ensures that every ticket sold directly benefits the group that sold it. Here are the stories behind the people “putting others before themselves”:
Friends at the Beach (FABBQ): Marissa and Craig have hosted a homeless barbecue every Wednesday at the Governor Reserve for years. Feeding up to 40+ people every Wednesday and providing essential donations, they rely on this funding to continue their long-standing mission of dignity and care.
Rockingham Girl Guides: Led by Leanne Doyle, the Guides will use their funds to ensure their girls can attend camp later this year at no cost. Their mission remains focused on empowering young women to become confident, capable community leaders.
Mind the Walk: Utilizing our local natural spaces to foster mental health support and community walking groups.
The Road Ahead
The night was full of laughs, drinks, and a shared sense of purpose. Beyond the prize money, the Baldivis Times walked away with a dozen new leads on incredible stories happening right under our noses.
Stay tuned as we roll out individual spotlights on these organizations in the coming months.