The annual Murray to Moyne cycling relay had about 1100 riders in 70 teams from as far as NSW and South Australia descend on Port Fairy yesterday morning after pedalling more than 500 kilometres in 24 hours to raise money for hospitals and other health services.

What started as a friendly challenge between the late Graham Woodrup and his wife Hester and friends 29 years ago has grown into one of Australia’s biggest fund-raising rides, raising more than $1 million.

At Camperdown meanwhile, overnight on Saturday more than 440 people in 27 teams walked around Leura Oval in an emotional Relay For Life fund-raiser for cancer research. 

Many had lost family members and loved ones to the disease and carried tributes in their hearts and on their outfits. They aimed to raise $110,00.

Like the cycling event, Relay For Life had small beginnings and is now said to be the largest cancer fund-raising event in the world, involving more than four million people in more than 20 countries. 

Across Australia more than 134,000 participants raise more than $24m a year.

And in Warrnambool on Saturday a four-bedroom house built with donated materials and labour, involving more than 100 businesses and tradespeople, went under the auction’s hammer for $500,000.

 Most of this money will go towards the Peter’s Project Foundation to support the $30m south-west cancer treatment centre being built with the help of $5m in community donations.

The weekend events are just part of the deep commitment by unsung heroes across the region who give of their time and money to help others, including charitable organisations, sports clubs and other groups. 

Their efforts far outweigh the negative attitudes, crimes and anti-social behaviour of the minority and are proof that the south-west is a great place to live, work and invest.