Models Jacki Clues, Rae Rees, Tammy Walker and Rosalie Thomas.
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Waminda Community House’s annual High Tea and Fashion Parade has once again brought the Benalla community together, with 120 people attending the sold-out event on Thursday, October 8.
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Held at the Benalla Bowls Club as part of the Victorian Seniors Festival, the event featured a fashion parade showcasing outfits from U&I Designs, alongside catering provided by the club.
Waminda Community House manager Leeane Bullard said it was wonderful to see people from across the community come together, including Vinnies volunteers and residents from Cooinda aged care facility.
“This was our sixth or seventh High Tea Fashion Parade as part of Seniors Week, and it’s just evolved over time. We've got a pretty well-oiled machine now,” she said.
“We had four beautiful models for the day and they each got to put four different outfits on, and they modelled them and walked through the crowd.”
Ms Bullard said the highlight of the event was the opportunity for people to socialise with one another.
Raffle winner Lyn Frietag.
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“It’s really about catching up with your neighbours, friends and people in Benalla for social inclusion and to celebrate Seniors Week,” she said.
“They eat together, they laugh together, it’s really beautiful, people love it. We’ve had some really great feedback and people linger after it finishes, so that’s a delight to see.”
Ms Bullard said making the event affordable and accessible was an important part of its success, with funding from the Benalla Rural City Council Social Inclusion Group helping keep tickets at $10 per person.
“The aim is to be really inclusive and break down barriers for people attending things, and often cost is a barrier,” she said.
“The companionship, the camaraderie, the fun — that’s what it’s about.”
The event is a popular fixture on Benalla’s community calendar, with people calling well in advance to secure their spot.
“It’s a really beautiful, positive vibe at the high tea, people look forward to it every year ― people book in early, they’ll start ringing me in September before we’ve even promoted it, that’s how great it is,” Ms Bullard said.
State Member for Euroa Annabelle Cleeland also attended the event, acknowledging the women in the room and helping draw the raffle prizes.
Waminda Community House’s next event will be its Christmas lunch on Wednesday, December 9, at the CWA Hall.
Waminda Community House’s annual High Tea and Fashion Parade brought together 120 people from across the community.
Photo by
Supplied
