Community
22 January, 2026
Roadie makes a generous donation
MORTLAKE Roadhouse owner Dion Symons was all smiles after the community supported a fundraising effort which saw a day’s takings at his iconic business donated to Need for Feed Australia.
Mr Symons donated $8388.86 to the not-for-profit group which provides hay and fodder to primary producers who have been impacted by ongoing drought and bushfires.
The proceeds were part of a day’s takings for Monday, January 12 which saw the community turn out in force to support the Roadie’s fundraiser.
Mr Symons said he had the idea to donate the takings knowing just how hard some are doing it right now.
“I thought it was the right thing to do, so that’s exactly why I did it,” he said.
“I’m a big believer that you can be rich in money – keep it all for yourself and be as rich as you like.
“Or you can be rich in life.
“I would much prefer to be rich in life.
“I’ll never have much money myself, I pay off my loans, look after my family and all that sort of stuff, but the rest of it I don’t care.”
Mr Symons said he did not consider the donation to be his own, believing he had a responsibility as a business owner to use income generated to represent the customer base who walk through the doors.
“I’ve always believed everyone who comes in here is giving their money to me but a percentage of that deserves to go back out,” he said.
“In some way, shape or form – whatever I decide to do with it – but that money deserves to go back out into the community.”
Mr Symons said the community had been supportive of the initiative, happily stopping by knowing the dollars leaving their wallets would be going to a good cause.
“It’s a one-day bang and it was impressive,” he said.
“It was really good.”
The donation follows a fundraiser which the Mortlake Kindergarten had hosted in 2025 which had also raised in excess of $8000 for Need for Feed Australia.
“It wasn’t that long ago so it was two wacks of funding,” Mr Symons said.
“In essence, they’ve got almost $17,000 out of two things.
“It’s pretty impressive for a little town.”
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