The Mount Gambier Breast Cancer Awareness Group has celebrated its 20th celebration in style, bringing in the milestone with a 1920s themed pink party.
Group member Jill Gilmore said there were plenty of people on hand to help paint the town pink in recognition of the event.
“We sold 230 tickets which is a full house with what is allowed,” Ms Gilmore said.
“The atmosphere was crazy and the women were just so happy to be out and about while still being mindful of the COVID restrictions.”
Ms Gilmore said the highly anticipated event included limited dancing, a fashion parade by Redgum Country and a performance by the Limestone Coast Line Dancers.
There were plenty of prizes up for grabs with Bo Creek winning the Charleston competition, Madelyn Sutherland winning the Wow Factor Award for her ensemble and Michelle King walking away with the title of Best Flapper.
Ms Gilmore said it was a new beginning for the event which was held at the Glenburnie Racecourse for the first time.
“Brett Watson and Naomi Mitchell at the Glenburnie Racecourse were incredible, pulling out all the stops,” she said.
“We were very lucky to have had it at all and they went to great lengths to ensure that it was COVID safe, and everyone had a great time.
“The Glenburnie Racecourse were so accommodating; donating the venue and they were vital in this event being executed to our vision.”
Ms Gilmore said the money raised would buy the group another round of helping handbags.
“The Breast Screening SA van is coming to Mount Gambier in November for a few months so the breast cancer diagnosis will go up,” she said.
“We had virtually no fundraising last year, so our balance did not go up that much at all so to be able to put on our major fundraising event this year is very timely to be honest.”
Ms Gilmore said the event would not be possible without the generous donations from local businesses and individuals.
“The raffle consisted of donations from three business houses in Mount Gambier,” she said.
“There were three business houses that donated cash, so we split that up and put it into envelopes and then we were given some vouchers from different businesses that went on the tree as well, so I think there was about 35 prizes on our raffle tree.
“If your number was drawn out, you just came up and took an envelope so there was lots of giveaways and good feedback from everything I have heard.”
Ms Gilmore said the group would like to thank Dycer Constructions, Gambier Earth Movers, Bendigo Bank, Angela Broome from the BP Mount Gambier West Service Station, Damien Hudson from Hudson Plumbing and Roofing, Nerida and John Fartch, Dzinastem who donated the centre pieces, Koonara Wines and Tom Ellis for donating the complimentary wine, Georgia Quick for donating her photography skills and caterer Finn’s Fine food who were “absolutely faultless”.
“There are too many people to thank but they will be acknowledged publicly on the Mount Gambier Breast Cancer Awareness Group Facebook page,” she said.
