Save the date - 30th November 2025!!

To Register your child to enter a run visit
https://rotary-club-of-emerald-and-district.grassrootz.com/rotary-kids-fun-run-with-puffing-billy-2025

To Register for Train Ride visit
https://www.trybooking.com/DDHVQ

Inspiring Support for the Mural Project
For one local family, the Angliss Hospital has always been a trusted part of their lives. With three young boys - Luca (6), Jude (3), and Hugo (1) - the hospital has been there for some of their most challenging moments.
“We live about 20 minutes from Angliss. I also grew up around here, so it’s always been my local hospital” shared Becki, the boys’ mum.
Their most recent visit was when little Hugo was battling a severe virus. “He needed fluids and monitoring for respiratory issues. I was exhausted and worried, but the staff were incredible.”
This wasn’t their first experience with Angliss Emergency Department. Earlier this year, Jude was admitted with RSV, an infection of the lungs, and required IV fluids. “Both times, the care was amazing. The staff were attentive, compassionate, and always made sure we felt supported. I never felt like a nuisance and they listened.”
When Hugo couldn’t tolerate an IV, the team quickly adapted, using a gastric tube to help him regain strength. “They were checking on me as much as they were checking on Hugo. That meant so much.”
Small gestures made a big difference. “There was a little play area in the lounge, and the nurses even brought toys to our bed so Hugo could play. Once he had more energy, he loved the handmade wooden cars in the lounge.”
Now healthy again, the family encourages everyone taking part in the 2025 Rotary Kids Fun Run with Puffing Billy:
“Have an amazing day! Whatever you can donate will make a real difference—not just to the hospital staff, but to the children who need care. Thank you to the Rotary Club of Emerald for supporting Angliss Hospital in this way.”
This year, funds raised at the event will go towards creating vibrant murals in the Children’s Ward, including spaces where kids wait before and after surgery. The murals will help make hospital visits less clinical and more comforting for young patients and their families.
“A kid-friendly mural would be beautiful. Something bright and cheerful to distract the kids—and the parents too.”
Thank You to Our 2025 Sponsors
Our family have been designing and making pottery since 1945. We pride ourselves on quality and craftsmanship built up over three generations. Made to last a lifetime, our Australian designed imported collections are created with a strong focus on innovation and quality. Here at Robert Gordon, we are excited about continuing on the tradition of distributing the best pottery in Australia. Designed to be both stylish, functional and perfect for any style, you’ll find a wide range of mugs, plates, bowls, dinner sets and more.
Celtic Iron Personal Training was created to help coach and inspire people to be the best version of themselves that they can possibly be.
We believe that no two people are ever the same so no two Training Programs should ever be the same. As your trainers, we will tailor your program specific to your needs, and it will be entirely unique to you.
A quality Personal Trainer can help bring out the best in you. We work around your schedule, your physical limitations, your fears and insecurities (we all have them) to help you achieve whatever your goals may be.
Whether you come to us for weight loss, to build strength, increase flexibility or help you prepare for an upcoming event such as a 10km run, we’re here for you!
Whatever goals you are striving for, you will have someone who will be in your corner no matter what.
A special thank you to Bounty Print for all their assistance with the collateral needs for the event.
A special thank you to Woolworths, Emerald for providing all the water bottles for the little runners after their exertions!!
A special thank you to Adam at Allscope for his support of the fencing costs for the event.
2024 Event Wrap Up
- Puffing Billy Railway
- Thats Right Bookkeeping
- Triple T Insurance
- Barry Plant Emerald
- Pharmalytics
- OrgMent Talent and Business Solutions
- Computer Talk
- Mitre 10 Emerald
- Nooj Pub
- United Panels
History of Kids Fun Run
The inaugural Kids Fun Run with Thomas was held in October 2002. The annual event has grown to become the signature fundraiser for the Rotary Club of Emerald & District Inc. raising over $812,250 since its inception. In recent years the children run alongside Puffing Billy therefore the event is now called 'The Rotary Kids Fun Run with Puffing Billy'.
In keeping with the Fun Run’s theme of ‘Kids Helping Kids’, all of the money raised has been donated to projects supporting and assisting children. The Fun Run is structured around 6 event runs, where kids aged 3 to 12 years, run against Puffing Billy.
From the beginning, the Kids Fun Run with Thomas was seen to be multi faceted. It was viewed as not only a fund raising event, but also a community service event. With entertainment in the park, it has grown to be a ‘Family Fun Day’, and offers local groups the opportunity to conduct their own fundraising and promotes the township of Gembrook.
In recognition of the level of success that the event has enjoyed, in 2010 the event was awarded the Cardinia Shire ‘Community Projects Award’ and in 2011 was awarded the Rotary District 9810 ‘Community Service Award’. Rotary International Awarded the Club with a Significant Achievement Award for the event in 2015.