The Cancer Council’s Biggest Morning Tea charity event is back in full swing this year with events in Wallan and Kilmore.
Morning teas are celebrated throughout May and June but on the official day, May 27, Wallan resident and volunteer moderator of the Wallan Community Group Facebook page Angela Lawton will bring the community together at the Wallan Old Library Building in Hadfield Park.
Everyone is welcome from 10.30am onwards, with attendees encouraged to bring a plate of food to sell, with the money to be donated to Cancer Council Victoria.
The Wallan Circle of Friendship will also host its 20th Biggest Morning Tea at Wallan Neighbourhood House at 10am on May 24.
There will be a $5 entry fee and a huge array of hot and cold finger food, including the group’s popular homemade scones.
Both events will also feature a raffle for vouchers and goods donated by Wallan businesses.
Ms Lawton hopes with the ticket and bake sales, as well as gold-coin donations on entry, she can raise more than her $1000 goal, having already reached close to half that in early May from raffle tickets.
“I’ve been reaching out to as many local businesses as possible [for raffle prizes],” she said.
“There’ll be a grand prize with a couple of runner-up prizes.
“I’m hoping to have something for the ladies, something for the gents, something for the kids.”
Some of the prizes in the packages include a pop-up picnic hamper from Sweet Honey Events, and a celebration cake voucher from Mon’s Cakes, Bakes and Creations.
“I love community engagement, I love everyone getting together for a cause, so I’m really, really keen to see more of that sort of stuff around Wallan and see all our neighbours get together for a good cause,” Ms Lawton said.
A Biggest Afternoon Tea will take over Kilmore Trackside from 2.30pm on Sunday, May 30.
After 13 years of hosting morning teas in Kilmore, organiser Gaye Logie is hoping this years will top her previous record.
“At the last event in 2019, we had 120 people and raised over $4000. We are hoping to raise more this year,” she said.
There will be a raffle, door prizes, spot prizes and an auction, and the main prize is a weekend for two, including breakfast and dinner at Numurkah Golf Club.
“I feel like I’ve got more sponsors and prizes than ever so I’m hoping this one is the biggest yet,” she said.
The annual charity event raises funds for cancer research and support programs, but last year’s morning teas looked quite different as the country emerged from its first COVID-19 lockdown. National fundraising income dropped by more than $9.6 million in 2020 due to COVID-19.
This year Mitchell Shire residents are getting behind the event in droves to support a cause that touches almost every Australian at some point in their lives.
Every year an average of 249 people in Mitchell Shire are diagnosed with cancer, while 36,000 people are diagnosed in Victoria.
One in two Australians will be diagnosed with cancer before the age of 85.
“I know most people have a really person story and cancer is such a huge thing that impacts so many people in society,” Ms Lawton said.
“This seems like a really great mix of things to support that are so important to so many people.”
Kilmore Trackside’s afternoon tea is at East Street, Kilmore from 2.30 to 4.30pm with a $20 entry price. Wallan Circle of Friendship’s event is at 42 Bentinck Street, Wallan at 10am, May 24, and Ms Lawton’s event is at 66-80 High Street, Wallan at 10.30am, May 27. More information on the latter is available on the Wallan Community Group Facebook page.
