With a population of around 1400 people, the town of Augusta has rallied together to campaign for breast cancer research during last month's Pink Up promotion.
Held each October, the McGrath Foundation-led campaign encourages communities to 'go pink' with events, fundraising and decorations.
The Foundation funds the placement and training of breast care nurses around regional Australia to provide services to people who may not have easy access to breast screening facilities.
Local businesses donated some fantastic items to the Augusta Hotel's pub auction night which raised over $5000 and other events also raised money such as the Leeuwin Lighthouse sundowner, Blackwood River Houseboats and the Augusta Bowls Club.
- Jane O'Reilly, Project Officer
Led and coordinated by the Augusta Community Resource Centre, 2019 marked the first time Augusta has raised funds for the Foundation.
Project Officer Jane O'Reilly said the community had done an outstanding job, with the whole town getting involved in some way.
"Local businesses donated some fantastic items to the Augusta Hotel's pub auction night which raised over $5000 and other events also raised money such as the Leeuwin Lighthouse sundowner, Blackwood River Houseboats and the Augusta Bowls Club," said Ms O'Reilly.
"When we started this project in July, we set a fundraising target of $10,000 and we would have been happy to get close to that. What has eventuated is over $14,500 with more donation boxes being brought in to be banked."
Ms O'Reilly said the impressive total raised was just one aspect of the positive effect the campaign had on the region.
"Whilst it is clearly important for the McGrath Foundation to have these funds, it has also done a lot for the town by giving everyone a common goal - so much so, they want to do it again next year," she said.
"It's been a lot of fun and truly heart-warming to see the effort so many people have put in. Well done Augusta!"