Mount Gambier’s Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea brewed over $8000 which will be poured directly into Cancer Council SA.

Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea has been taking place nationally for over 30 years and raised more than $200m.

The Mount Gambier event, which took place at the Blue Lake Bar and Bistro last Friday, attracted 120 people and included a fashion parade by Redgum Country, a trading table in honour of Peter Bayre, raffles, silent auction items and morning tea.

Limestone Coast local Deeanne Carmody spoke on the new Cancer Council SA Greenhill Lodge and the progress of the partition to establish a radiation treatment centre in the region.

This year’s event was held in honour of Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea Mount Gambier coordinator Karen Petersen’s workmate Gail Walker who tragically passed away from cancer in February.

Mrs Petersen said she was pleased to have exceeded her $5000 fundraising goal.

“It just goes to show again everyone is touched by cancer or has lost someone or someone knows someone going through treatment, so it just touches everyone,” she said.

“For people to donate again in such a big way, I am just blown away, it is fantastic.

“To get over $8000 is just amazing, we just live in a generous community, and I am very grateful for everyone that supported the event.

“All the local businesses that donate every year, I do not think I have anyone really that says no to donating an item or a prize.

“Money is tight, but everyone says yes because sadly we have all been touched by cancer, it might be our sister, friend, grandma, uncle, husband, partner.

“The more money that we can raise to send up to Adelaide for research, support and prevention and also for the country patients to stay in Greenhill Lodge (the better).

“I think it is really important we keep this going for as long as we can.

“I am very grateful for my committee who worked hard behind the scenes to pull the day together and obviously grateful for my brother who provided the great venue.”