It is 23 years since Australia's first Biggest Morning Tea was held and the small community of Brogo has been part of the fundraising effort for 17 of those years.
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And just like the cups of tea and plates of freshly made sandwiches, slices, scones, cakes and pumpkin soup, historic Brogo Hall was filled to the brim last Friday for the annual event.
Organiser Lena Pearce said that more than $2200 was raised for the Cancer Cancer NSW from entry fees and raffles, with the proceeds from the bountiful craft and produce stalls, laden with everything from crocheted rugs and knitted teddies to chokos and tamarillos, adding to the tally.
Mrs Pearce said the amount raised was up on last year's amount and she thanked the team of volunteers who cooked, served and washed dishes, Bob Shipton who played the piano accordion, and also the businesses that donated goods for the raffle.
Guest speaker at the Brogo event was NSW Cancer Council political liaison officer and community speaker Glenn Cotter, a former "Candelo boy" who has had first-hand experience of the organisation's services available in the Bega Valley.
Mr Cotter said the Cancer Council was 97 per cent community funded, and he was "very proud" of the way Bega Valley residents supported the organisation.
"Realistically, you guys are what the Cancer Council is all about," Mr Cotter said.
Mr Cotter said cancer services at Bega's new regional hospital were "second to none", however the town still lacked a resident oncologist and was forced to rely on a visiting specialist. “It’s all a matter of money,” he said.
In the 2014-15 financial year, the Cancer Council invested $15million in research, $7million in support services, $7million in program delivery and $4million in advocacy and prevention programs across the state, he said.
Bemboka Hotel won the raffle for a trailer load of wood.
- Are you hosting a Biggest Morning Tea, or have you had one already? Let us know by emailing details and photos to ben.smyth@fairfaxmedia.com.au