High spirits at high tea

By Lua Ikenasio

May 13, 2025

Aunty Shelley, Mary Briggs with baby Veronica Briggs, Aunty Veronica, Aunty Sonia, Aunty Deb and Aunty Stacey attended the Mother’s Day High Tea. Photo by Lua Ikenasio

Njernda invited all mothers to the Apex Hall on Monday for a special Mother’s Day High Tea.

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Event organiser Lilly Dodds said the day was created in response to a suggestion from a community member.

“We had a women’s lunch a few months ago, and we asked for suggestions from our women in the community about what they want to see,” she said.

“One of the women had on her survey that she wanted a high tea, and I thought I love high tea, so let’s make it happen, and so we did about two months of planning and brought it all together.”

Lynn Hearn, Lilly Dodds and Kristy Hearn with some of the decorated flower pots. Photo by Lua Ikenasio

The day kicked off at 10am with a food spread provided by Cafe Worx Catering and homemade biscuits from a local woman.

After tea, guests had the chance to take part in activities such as weaving and decorating photo frames or flower pots.

The event was also a chance for those who had lost their mothers to commemorate them by planting a flower in their memory or putting photos of their mothers in their newly decorated photo frames.

Alaia Shipley, Effie Shipley, Eva Murray, Leanne Mitchell, Jemeena Jackson and Alkira Hearn holding up their beautiful frames. Photo by Lua Ikenasio

“At the end of the day it’s about a community engagement, getting us out in the community,” he said.

“We’re getting the community together and that’s what we’re about at the (Njernda) wellbeing unit.

“Anything for our women’s well-being, we’re keen to make it happen ... if they’re asking for things to happen, we’re going to make them happen.”

Denise Williams, Tania Williams and Aunty Stacy enjoyed the food and acitivities. Photo by Lua Ikenasio

Njernda has more events coming up in the next couple of months, including its ‘Walk the Campaspe’ fitness group, which meets every Monday from 10am at the Lions Park.

To mark National Reconciliation Week, Njernda, in collaboration with Campaspe Shire Council, will celebrate the occasion on Tuesday, May 27 with a smoking ceremony and community walk.

There will also be a Social and Emotional Wellbeing Day held during Reconciliation Week on Wednesday, May 28 from 10am to 1pm.