After finding its feet during the past year, the group is ready to ramp up fundraising efforts – starting with an Australia Day Raffle.

Friends of Nolan House president Roz Quin said North East Border Mental Health Service were still waiting on a response to a $1 million upgrade application.

“Anything to do with the government doesn’t happen overnight, so it could take a couple years,” she said.

“Management of Nolan House have put in for a grant for infrastructure but what we want to do is raise about $250,000 for putting in new beds, chairs and tables.

“If funding doesn’t come through, we might have to go back to the drawing board.”

The most recent donations have included $10,000 from the Lions Club of Albury and $700 from newly formed group Suite Sounds.

Member Jack Percy said finding out more about the Border’s mental health facility had been eye-opening.

“I was talking to Annette Baker and I didn’t realise the tough time Nolan House was going through,” he said.

“I had no idea the amount of voluntary work going into assisting it.”

Victorian Mental Health Minister Martin Foley visited the facility in October but said funding would be dependent on the 2017 budget.

Ms Quin said it was integral the application was granted.

“If you have someone who’s manic and someone who’s depressed, a manic person talks a lot and a depressed person needs quiet,” she said.

“They’re put in the same room together.

“Most standards are that each room have its own en suite and not all of them do.”

Vice-president Courtney Avery said awareness about Nolan House was growing – slowly, but surely.

“Every second person has been there and a lot of them have had to go back … that’s what we’re trying to change,” she said.

To buy tickets for the Nolan House raffle, visit Courtney at Hairhouse Warehouse Albury or enter on the day at Australia Park.