Tea fever at high pitch

Judy Coombs and Beryl Craig enjoying the high tea at Balla Balla Community Centre.

By BRIDGET COOK

SCHOOLS, organisations and businesses have enjoyed sweet treats and a cuppa together when they hosted an Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea.
Now in its 20th year, the Biggest Morning Tea is a fund-raiser for the Cancer Council, with all money raised going towards world class research, prevention programs and support services for people affected by cancer.
Balla Balla Community Centre hosted an event on Thursday 23 May in the form of a high tea.
William Angliss Institute hospitality staff and students put on the afternoon tea with a plate of sweet and savoury treats.
Jo Hall, from Balla Balla Community Centre, said the numbers who attended and money raised exceeded expectations.
“We had to cap the event at 100 people due to the overwhelming response and an amount of $2082 was raised,” she said.
“The afternoon was fast paced with trivia, raffles, an auction and tea cup competition, plus a guest speaker.
“William Angliss hospitality students excelled with their afternoon high tea spread and service, providing valuable experience as part of the training.”
TBM Training, in Cranbourne, hosted a morning tea on Tuesday 28 May with more than 20 people attending from the local community.
The business had donations from a number of local businesses for a raffle and auction, as well as food donations for the morning tea.
TBM general manager operations Angela McGhee, said they raised $2100 for the Cancer Council.
“We are very community focused and hold many charity events,” she said.
“The Biggest Morning Tea was a huge success and we look forwarding to running this event again in the future.”
Students, parents and staff at Lynbrook Primary School gathered in the school courtyard on Tuesday 28 May and enjoyed a morning tea of muffins, doughnuts and drinks to raise funds for the Cancer Council.
Staff member Michelle Robertson said they were all eagerly counting down the days to the event in the lead up to it.
“Lynbrook Primary School has supported the Cancer Council in many ways over recent years by selling merchandise, hosting morning teas and holding fund-raising events,” she said.
“This year staff organised a fund-raising lunch in conjunction with the school community morning tea.
“The school raised $875, boosting the tally of funds raised by Lynbrook PS for the Cancer Council to over $3300.
“Lynbrook School Community will continue to support the Cancer Council and are already planning for next year’s effort.”