There was an eye-catching celebrity whirlwind tour that made its way through Deniliquin and surrounds last week, of the alpaca kind.
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Hephner the alpaca, with his unique hairstyle and well-behaved expression added joy to people’s days, popping up at Finley Regional Care, Jerilderie Hospital, Tocumwal Lions Community Hostel, and Tocumwal Public School, local businesses and other landmarks throughout town.
It was all a part of the Hephner’s annual charity tour which this year is supporting the Make a Wish Foundation.
The tour started on Saturday, October 17, making its way from Albury to Echuca by Tuesday via Tocumwal, Cobram and Nathalia.
From there he made stops at Mathoura and Deni by Wednesday before passing through Finley, Jerilderie, Narrandera, Griffith and Wagga on the way back home to Goulburn.
Over the course of seven days, Hephner’s handler Robert Fletcher said they covered 1500km, visiting one school, two hospitals and 12 nursing homes.
Mr Fletcher said the pair had been to the region before including a trip four years ago, but this visit was particularly special.
“We’re visiting nursing homes as part of the charity fundraising tour,” he said.
“We get to rock up and see lots of different people and for them, it is often a break from the norm.”
Hephner, a Huacaya alpaca, and Mr Fletcher have travelled all over the country for both function bookings and also for regular charity tours having supported a range of national mental health and suicide prevention charities.
“We try each year to do an annual fundraising tour to give back to the community but due to the cost of fuel we kept it a bit shorter this time around.
“With his distinctive hairdo he does get a lot of comments, but everyone is interested in him, and he does work well with people.”
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