While awaiting a call to collect a family member following a hospital procedure, former Innisfail and Mareeba local Carmel Murphy received a telephone call from the Far North Queensland Hospital Foundation that confused her.
“I was waiting to hear from the hospital that it was time to pick up my family member and then I was really confused by this phone call I received,” Mrs Murphy said.
“I thought someone was having me on,” she said. “I didn’t remember buying tickets in a car raffle but later I remembered my sister rang me and asked if I wanted some raffle tickets back in March. Getting that phone call was the last thing I expected, I’ve never won anything like that,” she said.
And while there is some conjecture as to whether she or her husband will end up with the $50,000 hybrid Rav4, the win is welcome, nevertheless.
The Foundation ran the Rev Up for Health Raffle since January, with a 2026 Hybrid Rav4 supported by John Cole Toyota, as the major prize. Almost $150,000 was raised during the raffle – the Foundation’s largest ever, with second prize being three nights donated by Silky Oaks Lodge with return transfers by Heather’s Private Transfers & Tours, and $5000 worth of gift cards as the third prize. The Foundation’s largest-ever raffle sold more than 29,600 tickets to support hospitals and health services across Far North Queensland. Tickets were sold online and by volunteer-run Friends of the Foundation groups in communities including Mareeba, Atherton and Innisfail, with funds raised staying local to support equipment, projects and patient care improvements at their hospitals.
Foundation Fundraising Manager Jenny Coates said the raffle’s success highlighted the generosity of communities across the region. “The response to this year’s raffle was incredible, with thousands of people buying tickets and helping raise vital funds for local health services,” Mrs Coates said. “Every ticket sold will help support patients, families and health care staff across Far North Queensland. “We’re incredibly grateful to our volunteers, supporters and prize sponsors. Their generosity allows us to continue investing in equipment, education, research and projects that improve health care close to home. The proceeds of all tickets sold by our Friends volunteers will stay local to support their local hospitals and we know this venture has been very well received by those communities.”
Proceeds from online ticket sales will support the Foundation’s broader work of purchasing equipment and investing in research and education for Queensland Health staff from Tully to the Torres Strait.
John Cole Toyota General Manager Toni Rawson said the dealership was incredibly proud to play a major role in this year’s campaign.
“John Cole Toyota has proudly supported the Far North Queensland Hospital Foundation for more than six years, and this year’s Rev Up for Health Raffle represented our greatest involvement to date. It was a fantastic opportunity to work alongside the Foundation and the dedicated Friends of the Foundation volunteers to help raise vital funds that will directly benefit healthcare services across our region.”
“At John Cole Toyota, we’re passionate about giving back to the communities that have supported us for more than 40 years. The Far North Queensland Hospital Foundation does an incredible job supporting patients, families and healthcare services throughout our region, and we’re honoured to help contribute to that work.”
Photo: Foundation Fundraising and Marketing Manager Jenny Coates with winner Carmel Murphy.
