Since 2019
Our story & the impact
The village that turns up for the ones who turn up for us.
How it started
A biscuit tin and a bushfire
Christmas 2019. Fires were burning all around Daylesford, and people who had evacuated their homes had nowhere much to go. So we opened the doors at Cliffy’s.
A biscuit tin on the counter became a rattle tin. Locals put in what they could for the CFA volunteers out on the fire line, and we kept everyone hydrated and caffeinated.
It’s a lot bigger now. The reason hasn’t changed.
Why the CFA
They turn up. So do we.
Our local brigades are volunteers. They turn out for fires, storms, road accidents and rescues at all hours, and nobody pays them to do it.
Every dollar raised goes directly to our local brigades, to buy the equipment they need for fires, life rescue and emergencies.
“Christmas morning at Cliffy’s underpins the strength of our community. The financial boost this provides to our local brigades helps enhance our fire and rescue capabilities. Every time this community is tested, it comes together to meet the challenge.”
The impact
What Daylesford has done so far
Where the money goes
What your rattle tin bought
-
2024
A new Field Command Vehicle
A 4x4 fitted out with radios, thermal imaging and a portable weather station, used to run a fire from the fire ground and command every truck and aircraft working it. Daylesford’s is one of 38 being built for the CFA, and it should be delivered soon.
-
2025
Breathing apparatus for Hepburn and Glenlyon
Until now Daylesford was the only brigade of the eight in our group that could respond with breathing apparatus. It’s used whenever firefighters face toxic air: building and car fires, confined spaces, mine rescues and chemical spills.
-
2026
A tanker, a mule and a Big Fill
A second 4x4 firefighting tanker for Musk. A “mule” for Daylesford, a high-sided stretcher on wheels that crosses rough ground to get injured people to a waiting ambulance or helicopter. And a start on a Big Fill: a powerful pump on a 4x4 that parks beside a dam or river and refills tankers fast, so they aren’t driving miles for water.
“The money that has been raised over the years has been extraordinary, we can’t thank you enough. It has helped us keep our local communities and firefighters safer.”
Last Christmas
2025, the record year
- $37,428 raised on the morning through the raffle, coffee, BBQ and bar sales
- $5,100 from the Daylesford Hotel Friday night community raffle through December
- $42,528 all up for our local CFA brigades
This year we’d quite like to beat it.
With thanks
It takes a village
Hosted by Cliffy’s Emporium and the Daylesford Hotel. Run by volunteers. Stocked by local businesses, who put up the prizes, the produce and a fair bit of their time.
This website was donated by The YBR Agency, and the photography by Inkd Fotogrfa.
Want to be part of it?
Put up a prize, buy a ticket, or just turn up on Christmas morning.