Proceeds support koala preservation in Narrandera. The colony on the Murrumbidgee was founded when the town released 23 koalas onto its riverbank in the early 1970s; it has been counted by hand every September since 1979 and now numbers 290 or more. The Drop Bear Dash exists to keep that work going.
The prizes
Cash payouts are calculated from each backer’s stake in each bear for each race: 1st pays 3x, 2nd pays 2x and 3rd returns the stake. Sponsorship support is separate from race payouts.
How the money moves
The Dash is a charity raffle conducted under the NSW Community Gaming Act 2018. Like any real event, it has running costs - broadcast, safety, insurance and payment processing. The club keeps them lean and directs sponsorships at covering them first, so entries can do the most good. Rotary clubs are volunteer-run - nobody is paid to put on the Dash.
The 2026 result
The 2026 Dash raised $1,875. The official race results, prize total and full sponsor list are published on the homepage. The final amount delivered to koala preservation will be reported after event costs are finalised.
What the funds support
- Annual September koala counts and colony monitoring.
- Habitat care and welfare work on the Narrandera riverbank reserve.
- Community education and conservation awareness in the region.
Who runs it
The raffle is conducted by the Rotary Club of Narrandera under the NSW Community Gaming Act 2018. Rotary volunteers manage the event, the funds, and the distribution to local koala preservation efforts.