‘We’re completely blown away by the amount and the support from the community’: Ladies Who Lunch organiser

By Monique Preston

Oct 31, 2023

Outstanding success: Goulburn Valley Health brand and donation officer, and one of the event organisers, Jaimee Squire (right), with Ladies Who Lunch committee member Amy De Paola. Photo by Rechelle Zammit

More than $100,000 was raised for the inaugural Ladies Who Lunch event.

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Held by the GV Health Foundation on Sunday, the event raised money for women’s cancer services in the Goulburn Valley.

Goulburn Valley Health brand and donation officer, and one of the event organisers, Jaimee Squire, said the amount raised exceeded expectations.

“We’re completely blown away by the amount and the support from the community,” she said.

Ladies day: Lisa McClure, Rachael McAlister, Fern Summer and Kaye Poulton. Photo by Rechelle Zammit

“It’s an outstanding result for the committee for the first event we’ve held.

“It’s a reflection on our generous community.

“A massive thank you to everyone who attended, supported it, donated, or was involved in any way.”

She also praised the event committee and all those who had played a part in organising the day.

“Without everyone who helped, we wouldn’t have been able to do it.”

Sponsors: Stephens Jewellers’ Michelle and Stephen Schneider were among the sponsors of the lunch. Photo by Rechelle Zammit

Of the money raised, $30,000 was from a silent auction and a bidding auction at the dinner.

The highest bid came for a Tom Day artwork titled Tappaoc Mt Napier, donated by McKellar’s Picture Framing, which sold for $8000.

Also among the other big items was a sapphire that could be made into custom jewellery, donated by Stephens Jewellers, which reached a winning bid of $5500.

There was also plenty of enthusiastic bidding for a dinner for 10 at the Aussie Hotel, which went for $2400.

Miss Squire said it was incredible to see the event’s organisation through to what it had become — with 745 people attending the lunch.

“We were so overwhelmed with the feedback from the local community,” she said.

“I feel so proud, and it’s an honour to be able to work towards something like this.”

Not all those who lunch are ladies: Shepparton Club staff (front, left) Kaye Sutton, Paula Coonerty, club president April Hipwell, Maria Wright, Karen Clampid, (back, from left) Kate Hince, manager Wayne Sutton, Wendy Boyle, David Rooks and Greg Ryan. Photo by Rechelle Zammit

Miss Squire said the event had become a conversation starter, with people comfortable to come forward and talk about their own cancer journey — whether that be people who were going through it now or had done so in the past.

GV Health Foundation chair Stephen Merrylees was pleased with the turnout at this event, which he said was a “re-imagination” of the Pink Ribbon Brunch which has been running in Shepparton for years.

Delighted: GV Health Foundation chair Stephen Merrylees. Photo by Rechelle Zammit

“Hopefully this become a signature event,” he said.

“Seeing everyone together is a delight.”

Mr Merrylees said, while no particular item had been earmarked for purchase from the money raised from the lunch, all the money would stay in Shepparton to support cancer services for women.

“Every last cent goes to that,” he said.