25 May, 2026
Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea brought warmth, generosity and a powerful sense of community spirit to Kiama on Thursday, as Cedar on Collins Retirement Community hosted its third annual fundraising event at The Pavilion. With 90 guests in attendance, the morning tea raised an impressive $5,200 for the Cancer Council, supporting all those impacted by cancer.
Drinks on arrival set a cheerful tone despite the chilly weather outside. Inside, guests enjoyed a beautifully curated high tea featuring fresh scones with jam and cream, sweet treats, delicate sandwiches, and a selection of hot pastries. Tea and coffee flowed as freely as the conversations and connections.
DJ Lee Cordner from Kiama Community Radio kept spirits high with music that encouraged laughter, bidding wars and even a few dance floor moments.
Cedar on Collins Community Manager Laura Hooper said the event once again showcased the strength and compassion of the local community. “It’s been a wonderful morning tea raising awareness and funds for the Cancer Council. We’re so proud that Cedar on Collins can host this annual event and bring our community together for such an important cause.”
The morning featured several special guests, including Ms Katelin McInerney, MP (Labor) and Serene Copley, MP (Liberal), who joined residents and visitors in supporting the cause. Guest speakers included Kylie Moffitt, founder of CanConquer – Lymphatic & Cancer Rehab, shared insights into the role of exercise in cancer treatment. “At the clinic what we see first-hand is so many changes on multiple levels…They’re a bit more energetic, psychologically, emotionally as well. When you’ve been diagnosed with cancer, you get put on this roller coaster…this is a way of taking back control.”
She also expressed hope that exercise will one day be embedded into standard cancer treatment plans.
Also taking the stage was Rita Sullivan, well‑known in Kiama for her 20 years of running Knickerboxers, a service combining clinical knowledge with warm, personalised service to help women look and feel their best after breast cancer treatment. Reflecting on her years of service, she shared, “It became more than a shop… it was very much a safe place for them to be.”
In a deeply moving moment, MC Bernie Hems shared her own recent diagnosis, saying, “From presenting [this event] last year to presenting this year, my experience of cancer has really grown…when you’re surrounded by people that care, it really makes a big difference.” Her honesty and vulnerability brought a renewed sense of solidarity to the room.
The event was made possible thanks to the generosity of local sponsors, including Endota Spa, Kiama Leagues Club, Dovida Home Care, The Sea and Beau, Keith Borland, Tiny Homes Joadja, Billy‑Jo Fashion, Silica Restaurant and Indigo Rose Home Living. Their donated items helped drive enthusiastic bidding and contributed significantly to the fundraising total.
As guests departed, it was evident that the event’s success was more than just about fundraising. Belinda Edwards, General Manager of Retirement Living at Fresh Hope Communities summed it up, “These moments remind us of the true power of community and its innate ability to help carry us through life’s hardest seasons.”