HAVING raised over $140,000 across 21 years for cancer research, Lois Bayre plans to step down as organiser of Mount Gambier’s Biggest Morning Tea.
Now considered one of South Australia’s largest Cancer Council SA regional fundraisers, Ms Bayre said she had “done her bit” and remained hopeful someone would take on coordination of the annual event after the 2020 instalment.
The dedicated and passionate resident first started donating to the not-for-profit foundation in 1975 after losing her mother to cancer.
“I would donate every year, but one year I received a newsletter which asked whether I wanted to host a morning tea,” she said.
“I thought I knew enough people so I decided I would do it and began with a total of 26 attendees.
“We hosted at St Paul’s Hall and ended up having 120 people come, fundraising $920 … I was amazed.”
The following year, Ms Bayre said the event grew extraordinarily and $2000 worth of funds were raised.
“More people wanted to come and the hall was not big enough, so we moved to the Mount Gambier RSL & District Bowling Club,” she said.
“I remember one year we had 439 people there and we made around $12,000 or $13,000.
“It got to a stage where I had all these businesses from Mount Gambier, Naracoorte and Port MacDonnell who wanted to donate and it was just amazing to see the support we received.”
With an aim of bringing the total to $150,000 for this year’s event, Ms Bayre said it was her time to pass the event on to someone else.
“I feel like I have done my bit and I know I am going to miss it,” she said.
“I am still so passionate about it, but I feel like I am getting older and a lot of my girls who have been with me over the years may possibly be ready to
give it away too.
“I am hoping there would be somebody out there who would take it on and I would help, mentor and show them what we have done.”
Ms Bayre said she was grateful for the support she had received from businesses across the district and from friends, family and volunteers.
“I have loved every minute of it and we all have had a great day, otherwise we would not have been here for so long,” she said.
“I just get a real buzz out of it and I hope everybody enjoys it as much as I do.”
With all funds from the event donated to Cancer Council SA, Ms Bayre said she felt honoured the money would benefit a worthwhile cause.
“I know the money we raise is going towards research, support services, detection and lots of other things,” she said.
“I have had the comment raised around concerns their money was going out of the region.
“A lot of people do not understand, the money also goes to Greenhill Lodge and Flinders Lodge, which are places patients can go when they need treatment they can not get in town.
“It might not be having immediate impact, but eventually, some time along the track people from Mount Gambier will benefit.”
Awarded Mount Gambier citizen of the year in 2018, Ms Bayre said it was wonderful to be awarded the prestigious title but she did not seek recognition
“It was an honour and I feel humbled and privileged, but I think the award really was about recognising how far the event had come and giving gratitude to everyone involved,” she said.
“People down the street might see me and recognise me from the morning tea, but I do not do it for that, I do it to beat cancer.”
Ms Bayre said this year’s event will be dedicated to her best friend Lynnette Killey who lost her battle to cancer last year.
The event will be held on May 28 at the Mount Gambier Italo Australian Club from 9.30am to 12pm.
A fashion parade will be provided by Redgum Country with goods up for auction and numerous lucky doors prizes on offer.
