There was a party atmosphere on Saturday 16 June as the whole of Gellibrand got together to celebrate the annual Biggest Morning Tea at our Mary Burbidge Hub in Truganina.
The Biggest Morning Tea raises money for the Cancer Council of Australia and will always be a charity close to Gellibrand’s heart; Mary Burbidge, one of our founding members and a 40-year Gellibrand supporter, died of cancer in 2022.
This year Gellibrand raised more than $3,000 and, as always, the event was a wonderful opportunity for clients, families, and staff to enjoy each other’s company with great food and, of course, plenty of cups of tea.
Along with face painting, music and dancing – and our first livestream of the event – we added a butterfly enclosure this year. Clients loved the chance to get up close with the colourful insects and the fundraising raffle also proved popular. There were plenty of smiles and even tears of joy from thrilled clients who went home with donated food and wine hampers, toys, pamper packs, and artworks.
“I like all the events but especially this one,” said client Stephen Cauchi. “I love the raffle and the food and the socialising.”
Events like the Biggest Morning Tea don’t happen by magic. This year we thank Deepak Verma and the marketing team for making it possible, along with Miley Verma for being lead organiser, ably supported by Teigan Mateos and Margaret Given. Big thanks to Ann McGowan for taking the lead on the raffle, with wonderful support from Janice Gagliardi, and thanks to Janiece Gagliardi and Paula Smith for raffle prize donations. We also thank our sponsors Coles, Routleys, Cupcakes by Paolo, Baker’s Delight, and Sunshine Flowers for their help making 2023’s Biggest Morning Tea one of our biggest ever
