Here’s to you: McDaid’s Irish Pub proprietor Caroline Leslie is proud of the generosity of her staff and customers who have raised $17,000 for fire victims. Picture: Yanni

GENEROUS staff and management at McDaid’s Irish Pub, Point Nepean Road, Rosebud, had raised almost $17,000 for the state’s bushfire relief fund by Friday.

Keen to support the fire victims, proprietors Caroline Leslie and husband Peter had been mulling over how best to help fire victims earlier in the week. They originally planned to donate 10 per cent of their takings from Wednesday 8 January – only to ‘up’ the percentage again and again until it was decided to donate the lot.

They were thrilled to learn staff also wanted to pitch in a day’s wages for the cause, too. By late last week that figure had reached $16,568 with the prospect of a thirsty weekend to add to the overall total.

“Everybody’s doing something and we decided to help out, too,” said Ms Leslie, who mentioned the effort on the pub’s social media. Rosebud Ambulance crews were quick to show their support.

“We were secretly wishing we would crack five figures today … what can I say?! We cracked five figures and then some more,” she said online.

“I could not be prouder of our workers, especially those who volunteered themselves for one of the busiest days we’ve ever had!

“I could not be prouder of our musicians, town, community in general – and especially our loyal regular and visiting customers today. They dug deep, ate, drank and were merry. Without them, we wouldn’t have been so successful.”

Ms Leslie said by 8pm Thursday $15,918.65 had been rung through the tills and $649.80 had been put in the collection bucket. “We will be transferring $16,568.45 to the official Victorian Bushfire Appeal account at the Bendigo Bank as soon as all the EFTPOS payments have cleared – probably Friday,” she said.

“Every cent spent will be passed on and we are so, so grateful to all of you for donating. It was a pleasure to host and very satisfying for all involved.

“It’s only a drop in the ocean compared to other big donations but I couldn’t be happier for such a small wee pub in a small town. Legendary.”

First published in the Southern Peninsula News – 15 January 2020