Charlotte Varcoe
A SELL-OUT Biggest Morning Tea event has raised more than $10,000 for the Cancer Council.
Recently, Mount Gambier Biggest Morning Tea organiser Karen Petersen and committee members hosted 140 guests after being handed the reins from long-serving community member Lois Bayre.
Initially aiming to raise $5000 on the day, Ms Petersen said she was blown away by the generosity of the broader community.
“I feel like the overall event was fantastic and all the feedback I have received so far has been positive,” Ms Petersen said.
“Everyone said they enjoyed themselves and the messages have just been overwhelming.
“I am really glad that I have continued Lois’s legacy with the Biggest Morning Tea and although it was a little different this year, it was a good day.”
The event included the traditional trading table named after Ms Bayre’s late husband and the annual Redgum Country fashion parade.
Ms Petersen said it was an honour to continue these traditions while also introducing new concepts.
“The day really exceeded my expectations and you never know when you run these things what will happen, especially because money is so tight at the moment after Covid,” she said.
“People have lost jobs over the past few years but our community remains as supportive as ever.”
She said her first year in the organiser role was a good experience and that the community remained “too kind and generous”.
“Sadly every family has been touched by cancer and I would not have been able to do this without my committee, friends and family who have helped,” Ms Petersen said.
Speaking with The Border Watch on the day, Ms Bayre said it was difficult to watch from the sidelines but congratulated Ms Petersen on her first event.
“I do feel a little sad being here as a guest and not as the organiser because I have loved doing it all these years but Karen taking it on has been fantastic because then I know it is going to continue,” Ms Bayre said.
“I am really happy that it is going to continue and the committee has done an amazing job this year.”
The annual fundraiser had been a major part of Ms Bayre’s life after she organised and hosted the event for more than 20 years.
“It has been hard for me to just sit back and relax this year but it has also been enjoyable,” she said.
“Although I haven’t been doing the Biggest Morning Tea, I have still been doing a little bit of fundraising with a group of friends as well so the passion for raising money is still there.”
Ms Petersen said she was already looking forward to the event next year, but for now, she was eager to relax before starting on plans for the 2023 event.
