Woodstock community rallies after fatal house fire

The community of Woodstock, a town of approximately 800 people in the Central West, is rallying to support a family following a tragic house fire that claimed the life of a young boy.

To honor the child's memory, the Woodstock Panthers rugby league club will wear green armbands during their upcoming match against the Wallerawang Warriors in the Mid-West Community Cup. The color was chosen as the boy's favorite. Despite being offered the option by NSW Rugby League to postpone the fixture, the club decided to play on to support the community and honor the deceased.

Fundraising efforts have seen significant local support, with a GoFundMe page raising over $115,000 as of September 17. Additionally, the rugby league club has launched a mega raffle, receiving donations ranging from raffle tickets to Australian Open tennis tickets from residents in Cowra, Bathurst, and Orange.