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
The prize pool is funded through sponsorships and event revenue, and the full prize list is published before race day.
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.
After the event
The club will publish a wrap-up here after race day: total raised, costs, and the amount delivered to koala preservation in Narrandera.
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.