By Pam Kiriakidis
Whittlesea Community House and Second Chance Animal Rescue were beneficiaries of a fundraiser with several community groups uniting to assist people struggling with cost-of-living pressures.
More than 100 residents socialised over high tea at Whittlesea Bowls Club on Tuesday, with representatives from the senior citizens, Whittlesea craft group, ladies lunch group, and other surrounding groups, treated to an afternoon of conversation, entertainment, and food.
Raffles, lucky door prizes and silent auctions helped raise money at the event, with donations provided by several businesses such as Hidden Valley Golf Resort, Coles Mernda, Whittlesea Fruit Shop, TSID Clothing and Kinglake Hotel.
This year’s event extended to 110 tickets, including a waiting list, a significant increase from the 60 attendees last year.
Money raised will go to Whittlesea Community House food relief and Second Chance Animal Rescue, who supplies the house with pet food for its food relief program.
Whittlesea Community House has seen a greater increase in providing support in the past 12 months, assisting 297 people with 355 agency referrals.
Through the house, 110 meals are provided fortnightly, and about 35 families are assisted each week for food relief, pet food relief and vouchers.
Volunteer Glenys McDonald, who organised the event, said there were many residents in need of help who were facing the cost-of-living pressures.
“There’s so many people who are really struggling at the moment with high costs of petrol, electricity, rent going up, and all that sort of stuff, so we’ve got all of our local groups here and this is a really great social day,” she said.
Ms McDonald thanked the sponsors for their support.
“I want to thank the bowling club especially because they’ve done so much to help me and … how beautiful it all looks,” she said.
Ms McDonald said the fundraiser was a ‘great day out’ for residents to bond and support one another.
“Women in this town are very isolated and the Whittlesea Community House has been running for 30 years, helping with social isolation, financial help,” she said.
“The job that the Whittlesea Community House does is just absolutely amazing. I’m proud to be a part of their community, to work in the house.
“It’s a great day to socialise, it’s a great day to find out what’s going on in the town and also to have a lot of fun, to enjoy themselves and to raise money.”
