Page 1605 - Week 04 - Thursday, 29 March 2012
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fundraiser in aid of Malkara special school called a hats and gloves high tea at Government House.
The hats and gloves event was first held at Government House in 2009. It was organised as a fundraising event and a gesture of thanks by the spouse of a Brazilian diplomat whose child had attended Malkara while the family was based in Canberra. Approximately 130 people attended that first event and around $30,000 was raised and gifted to the Malkara P&C.
A couple of the attendees at that first function, Lisa Tremopolous and Kylie Krinas, were so impressed with the concept that they decided to offer their services and take over the organising of the event. Since then three further hat and glove events have been held. Lisa and Kylie as organisers have brought together a group of friends and the hats and gloves committee now includes Lisa Tremopolous, Kylie Krinas, Belinda Notaras, Donna Mollica, Sam Andrighetto, Christine Waring, Gaby Soulsby, Barbara Fisher, Dr Michelle Barratt, Dee Ryan and Janelle Marcus.
The hats and gloves committee have proven to be very hardworking, innovative and enthusiastic in their support of Malkara special school. This group of amazing friends also recruited a core group of generous corporate sponsors that include SAP and Actew as major sponsors and other key sponsors such as Telstra, McDonald’s, Frozpak, Innogence, Caphs Restaurant at Manuka, Briolette, KITT, Kamberra wines, Watson IGA, Cre8ive and Blackhawk Logistics.
The organisers have also acknowledged the enormous contribution from St Mary MacKillop college and Canberra grammar schools and the many additional volunteers who contribute so much support.
The success of the event is also underpinned by the continued support from His Excellency Mr Michael Bryce AM, AE and the incredible Government House staff led by Lynette Mace.
The event has grown substantially over the past three years. In 2010, there were 300 people who attended the hats and gloves high tea in aid of Malkara school and $60,000 was raised. In 2011, the event grew to 380 attendees and raised $90,000, while this year, 2012, there were 440 guests. Whilst the final amount raised is yet to be confirmed, indications are that it could be over $100,000. All of the money raised goes to the Malkara P&C Association for management and is used for programs for the children at Malkara and for specialised equipment that they need.
Thanks to the many volunteers and the very generous support of sponsors, all the costs of running the high tea event are covered, so all money from table sales and auction items goes to the school. The committee is composed of mums who all give their time, effort and varied talents to pull this event together each year. As I understand it, the 11 committee members are all mothers. Four of them have four children, two have three children, four have two children and one has one child. These are all caring mothers who, in their words, give their hearts and souls to this event—and frozen dinners to their children as they organise this event each year. Between them they have an amazing 31 children, which I am told can lead to some noisy meetings at times, and only one of these children attends Malkara school.
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