Geraldton May Day Fete gives away car as it surpasses fundraising target for Hermitage cottage appeal

Not all fetes give away cars — but the May Day fete did just that, with one lucky raffle entrant driving away in new wheels. The people behind Monsignor Hawes Heritage Inc drew the winning ticket at its fete on Sunday. The $100-a-ticket raffle was organised to help the Catholic Diocese of Geraldton raise funds to buy the historic Hermitage cottage off the State Government. There are plans to turn the cottage into an Airbnb. The May Day fete at the Catholic Centre was a day full of fun, food and festive dance. Funds were also raised through an art exhibition and merchandise sale, as well as car boot sales and food stalls. The lucky winners of the car raffle was Eric and Margaret Muller, from Perth, who took home the first prize of a Toyota Corolla Ascent. Young dancers took part in a maypole dance, while soon-to-open Laian’s Cafe and Restaurant food stall served up Mediterranean food. There were five $100 prizes won by Father Ken Keating, Kevin Dean and Charmaine Skipworth, Aida Borre, Francis Barr and Peter Thomas. Hawes Heritage Events co-ordinator Gerry Eastman said with the success of the car raffle and May Day fete fundraising, they had surpassed the fundraising target for the Hermitage Appeal and were able to buy the building from the State. “Now we’re able to proceed with the purchase of the building, the conservation and enhancements works,” she said, thanking everyone who supported the appeal. The building will be transformed into an Airbnb experience for tourists to visit and stay the night, soaking up the rich history of Monsignor John Hawes’ architecture and the emerging of the arts and crafts movement in the mid-19th century.