The ‘Taste of India: Curry for a Cause’ team were able to raise $87,751 to support Deni High.
A group of construction workers temporarily living in Deniliquin has turned an idea into a major fundraising success, raising a massive $87,751 to support Deniliquin High School's recovery following last year's fire.
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Workers from Abergeldie Complex Infrastructure, currently based in Deniliquin and Jerilderie, partnered with the Deni Ute Muster to operate the ‘Taste of India: Curry for a Cause’ food truck throughout the event, with all profits directed to the Deniliquin High School P&C.
The initiative forms part of a broader fundraising campaign that has already secured significant donations from industry partners, with more than $25,000 contributed before the Muster even began.
Graduate engineer James Jabour said the idea was sparked after project manager ‘Bluey’ and his wife learned about the 2025 arson fire.
“Bluey's wife joined a mothers' group while living in Deni and heard about the fire," Mr Jabour said.
“When the team initially heard about the Muster, we jokingly spoke about opening a food stall and naming it 'Taste of India: Get That Into Ya'.
“Bluey then thought maybe we actually could open up a food stall and do it for a good cause, with a goal of $10,000 raised.”
What began as a joke soon became a serious fundraising effort.
Mr Jabour said the team investigated whether operating a food outlet at the Muster was possible, and quickly received pledges that eclipsed their original target.
“We got a few promises of donations off the bat that exceeded that goal and we then decided that ‘yep, this is what we are doing’. We'd just figure out the ins and outs of operating a food van on the run," he said.
The food truck served chicken biryani, chicken tikka masala and lamb rogan josh, among other Indian dishes, throughout the Muster weekend.
Supported by Abergeldie Complex Infrastructure and Indian restaurant chain Dosa Hut, the food truck became the centrepiece of the fundraising campaign.
“The Muster was the big one. That's where it all came together, and we put everything into making it a great weekend,” Mr Jabour said.
While the food van has wrapped up, fundraising has continued through donation links circulated within the company.
Mr Jabour credited a few businesses in particular for their generosity, including Mawsons, which donated $25,000, and Quarrell Civil Construction and Serdar Constructions, which each donated $10,000.
The initiative builds on support already highlighted by Deniliquin High School P&C president Vince Kelly, who said Abergeldie workers had approached business partners involved in local construction projects seeking donations for the school's recovery.
Mr Jabour said the campaign aligned closely with Abergeldie's community-focused values.
“During our six months of living here, we've had nothing but positive interactions with the people of Deniliquin.”
He said team members had developed strong connections with the local community, including engineer Reed Jackson, who previously lived in Deniliquin for five years, while other workers had become involved in local sporting clubs.
According to Mr Jabour, support from colleagues and industry partners was immediate.
“More than the dollars, we hope this showed the students and staff how much the community has their back,” he said.
“If a curry stall and a lot of generous people could remind them their school matters to the whole town, that's a win before a cent gets spent.”
The ‘Taste of India: Curry for a Cause’ team were able to raise $87,751 to support Deni High.
