By Pam Kiriakidis
Whittlesea Community House united senior citizens at Whittlesea Bowls Club for a high tea supporting women affected by cancer.
More than 50 people were seated for an afternoon of conversation and socialising, with raffle prizes donated from several community organisations and businesses including Whittlesea Bowls Club, Stone Real Estate, Beauty on the Walnut and Hidden Valley Resort.
The audience was also entertained with a feature performance by community group Whittlesea Ukes.
Volunteer Glenys McDonald, who organised the event, said the original plan was to host a high tea for the aerobics participants that she carpooled with, however the event progressed to a larger occasion.
She said the tickets she sold were to community members who needed to socialise or had been touched by cancer.
“It’s trying to get people to mingle, and because they’re all my age, a lot of them are at home on their own,” Ms McDonald said.
“A lot of women in there have either had breast cancer or been touched by cancer from a friend … and I think it raises a bit more awareness.
“I know during COVID a lot of people didn’t go and have their ultrasounds and mammograms and all that.”
Aside from the high tea, Whittlesea Community House hosts several events and sessions throughout the year, which Ms McDonald said would continue to strengthen the Whittlesea community.
“I’ve lived in Whittlesea for a long time, and I like to help the community,” she said.
“I think there’s a lot of people here who don’t get out, they don’t know what’s going on, and it’s an older demographic too.
“I believe in helping, and I get great joy out of it.”
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