Community & Business
11 August, 2025
Four Years of Community Chest
Last month marked four years of the Bernborough Tavern’s Community Chest program, which has seen $42,000 donated to local community groups.
Bernborough Tavern owner Michael Carpenter said the idea of a Community Chest had come about as a result of a similar program he’d run at his previous pub in Pittsworth and the former Oakey Men’s Shed raffles run by John Webster.
“We used to have it at our hotel in Pittsworth,” he said.
“After the Men’s Shed finished doing their raffles I sat down with John and asked him if he’d like to continue doing it with us.”
The British-born Webster, who also volunteers as a lollipop man at the school crossings said he became involved with the Men’s Shed raffles after his wife passed away.
“I needed an outlet,” he explains.
“They wanted to cancel it, so I had a chat to Michael and he said ‘If you want a break, the staff will do it’.
“We made up a sheet of paper, gave it to the Tavern regulars and said ‘Nominate people you’d like to see it go to’.”
Michael Carpenter says he saw in John’s volunteering, a chance to make a difference in town.
“(We do it) to give back to the community,” he said.
“A lot of charities and clubs in town struggle with funding and our customers drew up a list of some worthy recipients.”
After the first round of raffles in July 2021 it was decided that the Oakey State School Breakfast Club would be the first recipient.
Lead volunteer Lesley Hughes collected the cheque in August.
Four years, and $42,000 later, the Chest has helped community groups in Oakey pay their costs and invest in infrastructure for their club or charity.
The Community Chest formula has remained just about the same since 2021.
John Webster still sells tickets on Saturday afternoon and has now taken over the raffles slot on Friday nights, formally occupied by the Fish Stocking Association.
Community Chest draws take place on Friday night from 5.30 to 7pm, when there are 10 draws ranging from meat trays to vouchers and on Saturdays from 11.30am to 1pm when there is Spin for Cash and Pick the Ace.
Recently, on the last Saturday of the month, John has introduced a mystery voucher, which could be for any different local business.
Oakey Bears Touch President Brendan McCormack, who received the cheque last month, says the best part about the Community Chest is that clubs don’t have to do anything to earn it and there are no strings attached.
“The groups ask me ‘What’ve we got to do?’ and I say, ‘Nothing, I’ll do the whole lot!’” says Webster.
“There is no guarantee for the amount raised, just what we make each month.”
If anyone wants their non-for-profit community group on the Community Chest roster, ring John Webster on 0409 242 800 or email him at johnaawebster@hotmail.com
