Morning Tea goes from strength to strength

By Ross Carruthers

The tables are set immaculately and the RSL lady volunteers begin to traverse the room laden with pots of tea and coffee and an assortment of culinary delights – another monthly Veteran’s and Community morning tea has begun!

The morning teas have been a lock on the Tin Can Bay social calendar now for nearly a decade and the whole community is invited.

Rowena Giles was one of the ladies who was there when the morning teas kicked off. “We had a luncheon for the local war widows and they said that they needed to get out of the house more often, so the idea of a monthly morning tea was floated. The war widows loved it and it’s still going today.”

Ann Byriel is a regular attendee. “We really look forward to the morning tea every month,” she said. “A lot of people don’t get out much and it’s a great opportunity to interact with other members of the community. It’s great food and lots of fun!”

Paul Deller is a long-term Tin Can Bay resident and business man.He is recovering from a recent stroke.

Paul said, “One of the RSL volunteers here is helping me with my rehab. She suggested I come down to the morning tea. I’m glad she did. It’s great to see the RSL facilities being used in this way to support the community.”

Dawn Austin is a driving force behind making the monthly morning teas happen. She is a real livewire, one minute introducing the guest speaker Kylie James from Veteran’s Retreat, and local entertainer Laurence; the next up dancing with one of the crowd.

She whisks past me with a plate of goodies in her hand. She says, with a cheeky glint in her eye, “Would you like a piece of fruit cake? I made it myself.”

I don’t mind if I do Dawn, and of course it was delicious.

Thank you RSL ladies, for the morning teas and for your service! The next Morning Tea is on Tuesday 13 July. Any enquiries, phone Tin Can Bay RSL on 5486 2110, 3pm to 5pm Tuesday to Friday.