High Tea Events in May for McAuley Community Services for Women

Hello my lovely readers!

This month you can help raise funds for McAuley Community Services for Women’s family violence program by either attending one of these High Tea events or hosting your very own High Tea.

Therese offers a High Tea experience on a Train

 When Therese Slee heard about our high tea appeal, she knew she had to become involved.

“I was surprised how many women had lost their lives through family violence and it seemed natural to support an organisation aimed at assisting women at such a difficult time,” she said.

Therese was already planning an event in May on the Avoca Dining Car in Newport through her company, Elysian High Tea. Ten dollars from each high tea will be donated to McAuley Community Services for Women.

The High Tea on a Train costs $70 and is on Sunday 24 May from 2pm to 4pm at the Newport Railway Workshops. The champagne corks will pop and tea will brew from 1.45pm. Bookings can be made: eat@takingtea.net.au or ring Therese on 0478 624 528.

She has always loved baking and under the influence of her mother, she made desserts, cakes and biscuits for her family from a young age.

“My mother was famous for her sponges - they were always snapped up at the cake stalls - I always include her Ginger Fluff Sponge in my high tea menu,” said Therese.

She started her business after years of running a successful bed and breakfast in Newport and a short time in the workforce. She decided to offer high teas for people in their homes.

“There are a lot of high tea venues but not many businesses offering this more personal experience. I had all my lovely crockery which I wanted to use and share,” said Therese.

The idea of using a train as a venue was natural for her.

“Many family members worked for the Commonwealth Railways in South Australia and we have lived in Newport for many years just down the road from the railway workshops.”

“I am not a train fanatic but I do love the romance of trains. The historical societies that house trains at Newport are an absolute untapped treasure trove of history - not just the engines and cars but the buildings and the whole site in general,” she added.

“For me, high tea and trains are a natural fit.

The High Tea on a Train costs $70 and is on Sunday 24 May from 2pm to 4pm at the Newport Railway Workshops. The champagne corks will pop and tea will brew from 1.45pm.

Bookings can be made: eat@takingtea.net.au or ring Therese on 0478 624 528.

  

High Tea with Class 

A touch of class is what Stamford Plaza Melbourne is offering supporters of McAuley Community Services for Women on May 30 and 31 as part of the High Tea Appeal. The Stamford Plaza Melbourne will open its doors on Saturday 30 and Sunday 31 May 2015, to host an exclusive high tea fundraiser for our organisation as part of our month-long appeal.

Guests will enjoy a sparkling High Tea with an assortment of meticulously crafted savoury bites, fluffy homemade scones and traditional finger sandwiches served on an elegant three-tiered stand. It will be made all the more luxurious with a tantalising pavlova bar, indulgent chocolate fountain and a raffle where entrants go into the draw to win a high tea for two plus a deluxe hamper of goodies.

Adam Hamilton, General Manager, Stamford Plaza Melbourne, said his organisation supported McAuley Community Services for Women because of its programs and services that protect women and their children from family violence, particularly Victoria’s only accessible safe house open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, providing crisis accommodation to those in need.

“Reading the astonishing figures that 81 women died last year through family violence and won’t be able to enjoy Mother’s Day celebration with friends and family is heartbreaking. The high tea is the perfect opportunity to come to Stamford Plaza Melbourne, enjoy an outing together and simultaneously raise awareness and contribute much needed funds to the charity so they can continue their incredible work,” Mr Hamilton said.

A percentage of proceeds from the high tea will go to McAuley Community Services for Women along with all sales from the raffle.

The charitable event will be held on Saturday 30 and Sunday 31 May 2015 at Stamford Plaza Melbourne from 1pm - 4pm. Tickets are $59 and include sparkling wine.

Bookings are essential. To make a reservation, call 03 9659 1592, email harrys@spm.stamford.com.au or go to www.stamford.com.au/charityhightea.

Have a High Tea to raise funds to stop family violence 

This May Victorians have the chance to host a high tea and help change a woman’s life by raising funds for McAuley Community Services for Women’s family violence program.

In the past year 81 women died through family violence and this year won’t be able to enjoy a cuppa or Mother’s Day celebration with friends and family.

Jocelyn Bignold, Chief Executive Officer of McAuley Community Services for Women, said: “This year 24 women have already been killed within the first three months because of family violence. People are at a loss to know what to do or how to help.

“We ask them to host a high tea or gathering friends or colleagues together for a morning or afternoon tea because the funds raised will make a difference to our work with women and children escaping family violence.”

McAuley Community Services for Women operates Victoria’s only accessible safe house open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, providing crisis accommodation to women and their children escaping family violence.

“The impact we make on these lives is enormous. Most of the families coming to us arrive with only the clothes on their backs and a bag in their hands. At the end of the week, they leave refreshed, having had access to medical, legal and financial advice as well as emotional support from our specialist workers,” said Ms Bignold.

Last year the organisation supported 600 women and children through its programs including refuges and accommodation for women who are homeless, often as a consequence of family violence.

The High Tea Appeal is running throughout May. The patron is Rebecca Maddern, Channel Seven newsreader.

To get involved, all you need to do is:

 1. Register as a host at mcauleycsw.org.au/highteaappeal

2. Invite friends, family, colleagues etc to your event

3. Return funds raised to McAuley Community Services for Women