WANGARATTA served as the base for a group of visiting Rotary cyclists who enjoyed pedalling around the region last week in support of Australian Rotary Health.
Hailing from Rotary District 9815, the group of 30 riders and 10 support team members spent time in the area between March 16 and 21, taking in the sights of Benalla, Glenrowan, Yarrawonga, Yackandandah, Myrtleford, Milawa and other small communities in between while staying in Wangaratta.
They rode close to 100km on each of the six days as part of their fundraiser for Australian Rotary Health, which is one of the largest independent funders of mental health research within Australia.
The national not-for-profit organisation also funds a broad range of research into general health areas, and provides scholarships for rural medical and nursing students, as well as Indigenous health students.
Australian Rotary Health funds programs which do not readily attract other funding, and promotes findings to the community.
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The visiting riders travelled from Melbourne and Gippsland to participate in last week's fundraising event, which returns to the Wangaratta district every four or five years.
Many riders are members of their local Rotary Club, while a significant number have joined through their membership of U3A.
Team members pay their own expenses on the ride and seek sponsorship from friends and businesses.
This year funds raised exceed $29,000, which is expected to increase further in coming weeks.
Donations can be made by visiting https://rotaryrideforresearch.raiselysite.com/
Ride coordinator Janet Wallis said Wangaratta was ideal as a hub during the week-long event.
"From there we look for regional towns that we can ride to on quieter roads, so exploring some of the features of the region. A particular highlight is the lunches purchased from the bakeries or cafes of the towns we visit," she said.
"Thank you to the district of Wangaratta for making us feel welcome, and for the courtesy of drivers in this district."
