Charlotte Varcoe
A CUP of tea and light entertainment will be on the cards once again this year as the Cancer Council’s Biggest Morning Tea celebrates 30 years.
Since its conception in 1993, the Biggest Morning Tea fundraiser has raised over $200m for cancer support and research.
This year the Mount Gambier/Berrin event will once again be held by Karen Peterson who said she was feeling comfortable everything would run smoothly again.
“We have kept the same format as last year and kept it the same price because we know people are struggling with the cost of living,” Ms Peterson said.
“I am lucky that I have the same committee and so far everything is looking great, ticket sales are up there and we still have tables available.”
Keeping with tradition, Ms Peterson said there would still be the fashion parade hosted by Red Gum Country, raffles and Peter’s Trading Table.
“We have kept the trading table in memory of Lois Bayre’s husband Peter,” she said.
“Confession has also jumped on board this year with people who scan the QR code on their takeaway coffee cups able to go straight to our fundraising page and donate.”
Ms Peterson said this year was also a special one not only because it was the 30th anniversary of the beginning of the Biggest Morning Tea but also because it would be held in her co-workers memory.
“I am doing this year’s fundraiser in memory of my colleague who passed away in February with cancer,” she said.
“It was terminal and she was diagnosed in 2021 so I would like to make this in memory of her this year because she was in the crowd at last year’s fundraiser.
“She got a lot out of last year’s event because she was able to link into the support services the Cancer Council provides.”
Now taking that memory with her as she finalises plans for this year’s event, Ms Peterson said she takes comfort in knowing the support services allowed her co-worker to reach out and support family members of hers as well.
“There is support there where people can make a call to the Cancer Council and talk to someone because the emotions are there for all of us but it is still nice to talk to someone about it,” she said.
Ms Peterson said she also hoped to highlight the newly opened Greenhill Lodge in Adelaide which provides accommodation and support services for those with cancer.
“We have been lucky this year with the opening of the Greenhill Lodge which is a state of the art facility,” she said.
“We are looking to have someone video call into our event again this year and have them talk to the room about the facility and provide us with the video.”
She said she had received feedback recently from someone whose family stayed at Greenhill Lodge and said it was state of the art with accommodation, support and transport for treatment available.
“Every family is affected by cancer and the other thing is we must get this radiation treatment facility here in the Limestone Coast because we cannot be disadvantaged by living in Mount Gambier,” she said.
“I feel humbled to know I am a part of raising money and awareness for the Biggest Morning Tea and that I am contributing in some way, because we are all touched by cancer and sadly that will continue.”
Tickets are on sale now and available for purchase from Decor House at $30 per head.
The event will be held at the Blue Lake Bar and Bistro on May 28 with doors opening at 9.45am for a 10am start.