MOULAMEIN’S creative community will trade paint brushes for culinary delights next month as part of a fundraiser which will benefit Edward River Gardens Residential Aged Care facility.
Organised by the Moulamein Art Gallery, the Coffee for a Cause fundraising initiative will run throughout August, with $1 from each coffee donated to the cause.
Moulamein Art Gallery deputy chairperson Jill Reed said the fundraiser was a new concept for the gallery which wanted to raise funds for something which would directly benefit the community.
“Finding different ways to fundraise is always a challenge,” Ms Reed said, noting they had supported many worthwhile causes in the past, including Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea and Pink Ribbon.
Edward River Gardens is one of the town’s main employers within Moulamein, and Ms Reed said this donation would make a significant difference within the community, while ensuring the longevity of the privately-owned facility.
“We want to do anything we can to help make a difference,” Ms Reed said.
“This is something close to home and most people have friends or a loved one living there.”
The Coffee for a Cause fundraiser will take place at the gallery each Thursday and Friday during August, between 10am and 4pm.
However, in a bid to kick-start their fundraising efforts, the Moulamein Art Group will host a high tea on Monday.
While the gallery hosts a range of different workshops and exhibitions throughout the year, each Thursday and Friday the group comes together to express their creative flair in the gallery’s commercial kitchen which has been a feature of the gallery since it opened 15 years ago.
“It’s art of a different type,” Ms Reed said.
“It’s a dying artform but we have a lot of retirees and farmers’ wives in our group and it’s a pleasure to get together and bake.”
Ms Reed said the group was baking some mouth-watering secret family recipes for Monday’s high tea, which would include sandwiches, quiches and an array of homemade slices and cakes.
With only a few days to go, Ms Reed said the event was well received with more than 60 bookings from Moulamein and surrounding towns including Barham, Murray Downs and Swan Hill.
Ms Reed said the high tea would provide a social event for the wider Moulamein district, while contributing to a worthwhile cause.
“It’s a new concept but we hope to make it an annual event,” Ms Reed said.
“Anyone is welcome to attend and it’s open to all ages.”
The high tea will take place on Monday, August 1 at the Moulamein Bowling Club, from 2pm until 4pm.
