By Shelby Brooks
As a third generation Good Friday Appeal coordinator for the town of Lang Lang, Rochelle ‘Rocky’ Baker knows firsthand the power of the community.
“No matter what Australia or Victoria goes through; Covid-19, floods or fire, in hard times everyone digs deep for the kids,” Ms Baker said.
Ms Baker is celebrating her 17th year in the role, taking on the position in 2004 at the tender age of 16.
She was the youngest coordinator in the state at the time.
She said she had been inspired by her Nan Marge Stiles who was the town’s first coordinator for the appeal in 1974.
“I’ve been involved in the Good Friday Appeal since day dot,” Ms Baker said.
Her mother Sue Baker was also heavily involved in the appeal each year, as well as the rest of her family.
After the passing of her Nan and Mum, Ms Baker said she wanted to take on the role.
“I’d wanted to take over to honour Nan,” she said.
As a member of the Lang Lang CFA, Ms Baker usually runs the appeal out of the fire station with help from family, friends and crew members.
“It’s always a good day,” she said.
“We usually have the TV on in the background and the stories throughout the day will get our ears pricked up. We’ll be watching it and they are incredible stories and inspire me more to help.”
“I love to see the smiles on my friend’s and crew’s faces knowing, yeah it’s for a good cause.”
This year will look a little different, with the Lang Lang tin shake being held virtually again.
Ms Baker said she had been surprised by the community support last year during the peak of Covid-19 restrictions.
“We were expecting maybe $4000 but we reached about $6000. I was just over the moon,” she said.
Head to virtualtinshake.com.au/fundraisers/LangLang to donate.
