The Hospital Auxiliary Tathra branch Spring Garden Party was held at the home of Margaret Evans as a fundraiser.

It was the first time the auxiliary has had a garden party, but it was evidently very popular as about 220 people had passed through the gates in the first hour it was opened. 

The money raised on the day will go towards the purchase of items which would be able to be moved into the new South East Regional Hospital, and Tathra Auxiliary president Bev Slater said they had already committed $20,000 for this purpose. 

The Bega Valley Weavers gave a demonstration as well as sold items, card maker Louise McGrath had a stall, there was a display by Riverside Nursery as well as there being food, tea and a raffle. 

This was all set in Ms Evans extensive and well-maintained gardens, which she described the style as being “old English and Italian with Australian influences thrown in”.

Ms Evans was also selling her books about local history, and has a new one to hopefully be released by next Easter. 

A special event was the parasol parade, where the ladies got to show off their best parasols coming from as far around the world as Prague or Japan, and this lucky reporter even got to pick the winning entry – owned by Teresa Taylor. 

The next event run by the auxiliary is a Melbourne Cup lunch on November 4 from 11.30am at the Tathra Country Club. 

Tickets are $25 and they are available at the Country Club on 6494 1220. 

Ticket sales close on October 28.