UOW played host to one of 28,000 of Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea’s today. Hundreds stopped by the Duckpond Lawn over the course of the day to have a cuppa and a cake (or two!), listen to live music, be inspired by the story of a cancer survivor, and help raise money to defeat cancer and support the work the Cancer Council does. UOW Multimedia was at the event and live blogged from location.
2:30pm
Did you miss today’s UOW Biggest Morning Tea event? It’s not too late to help beat cancer – morning teas like today’s can be held anytime throughout the months of May and June. Head to www.biggestmorningtea.com.au to find out more and/or donate directly.
2:10pm
The Biggest Morning Tea has wrapped up for the day at the UOW campus. All the clubs and organisations involved are pleased with how the event has gone. They’ll be collecting and tallying their fundraising total over the next few days, but estimates suggest they’ve exceeded their donation goals.
Had a fantastic day today raising money and awareness for a great cause! Couldn’t have done it without the help of UOW…
Posted by Cancer Council on Campus on Wednesday, May 27, 2015
2:00pm
UOW Wellbeing has provided ongoing support to the event today, from set up to logistics to serving tea and coffee. Aylin has been one of the Centre’s volunteers on the stall. As the pack up begins, she sums up how the event has gone.
1:45pm
Tim Robinson from WIN News tweets about sharing his story of surviving cancer to the crowd at UOW earlier today. A lot of support for Tim at the Duckpond Lawn, and for all those affected by cancer.
Proud to tell my story @UOW #BiggestMorningTea @UOWTV @CCNewSouthWales #WINNews #findacure #cancer #livestrong pic.twitter.com/E07tlFL0oR
— Tim Robinson (@winrobbo) May 28, 2015
1:00pm
What would you bake for a Biggest Morning Tea? The Cancer Council have some recipe ideas to help you out. Not that our students have had any problems today…have a look at these ‘after’ shots of some of the plates, including the massive 200-serve cake (almost all gone)! The organisers warned it would disappear quickly, and it has. This can only be good news for the final fundraising tally.
12:45pm
As we near the end of event and the sugar high peaks, volunteers are attempting to guess how much they’ve raised throughout the morning. Hundreds? Thousands? Sam’s not certain, but she knows one thing for sure.
12:20pm
The secondary purpose of events like the Biggest Morning Tea is education and awareness. Did you know 1 in 2 of us will be diagnosed with cancer before the age of 85? Read up on the myths and facts of cancer here. How much do you know about cancer and how it is detected? The Cancer Council explains in this video.
11:55am
Everyone is loving the sugary and chocolatey foods on offer at the Biggest Morning Tea. But the team from the Illawarra Public Health Society are here to support cancer too! A group of They’re offering water and fresh fruit donated by the Dapto Mall Harvest Market, to satisfy your hunger this morning – along with a message about how important healthy eating and living are to preventing and fighting cancer. What would you choose to eat with your gold coin donation: A guilty pleasure for a good cause? Or a snack in the spirit of the event?
Guess the herbs and spices game with @UOW_IPHS at @UOW‘s #BiggestMorningTea. Vegies taste great for cancer protection pic.twitter.com/z313eJXzQE — Amy Carrad (@AmyCarrad) May 28, 2015
11:30am
A lot of the volunteers and those who have turned up in support today have personal experiences and stories that motivate them to do all they can to support the work the Cancer Council does. Such a volunteer is Shilani, who will be at the stall serving people for the rest of the day. She shares a small part of her story and connection to cancer.
11:00am
Cake cutting time! A 90cm x 40cm cake from Delaney’s – made to serve 200 people – has been delivered with care to campus. Cancer Council NSW representative, Sarah, and guest speaker, Tim Robinson are jointly cutting the cake, to the applause of many present. Other creative and buttery treats also still up for grabs.
10:50am
A steady stream of hungry and generous people stopping by the Biggest Morning Tea tent. But plenty of sweet treats still available and arriving fresh. Volunteers have a number of reasons they contribute to the day, including Commerce student, Beth, who just loves to bake!
10:30am
It’s not just the Duckpond Lawn where you can buy a morning tea snack and donate to fight cancer. Mini-stations are set up around campus for a quick bakery bite, including outside the UOW Library. Like a Biggest Morning Tea drive-through service for the busy campus-dweller. Just look out for the blue Cancer Council signs. The Innovation Campus also has its own BMT happening right now.
10:20am
Live entertainment is now accompanying the Biggest Morning Tea. Crowds are gathering on the Duckpond Lawn to listen to the music and enjoy the food and drink their gold coins have provided them.
10:00am
Chantelle from the Cancer Council on Campus executive has been here since early this morning. She explains what’s on offer at UOW’s morning tea and why every student on campus should stop by.
9:45am
Last year, the Cancer Council raised over $11.9 million nationally to help beat cancer. This year, they are aiming to raise $13 million to fund research, prevention and support services to those affected by cancer. How much will UOW’s event raise today? Organisers are hoping for over $2,000. That’s a lot of cupcakes!
9:30am
And we’re off! The kettle is boiled and the donation tins are out. The Cancer Council are inviting those on campus to head down to the Duckpond Lawn from now until 1:30pm to have a cuppa and a cake, and support the prevention, early detection and treatment of cancer. Make every cup count.
9:20am
So what’s all the fuss around the Duckpond Lawn and UOW Library today? Cancer Council on Campus president, Emily Zaboyak tells us about the morning tea set up and why a simple gold coin donation will help more than your sweet tooth.
9:15am
From cupcakes to fudge to slices to fairy cakes – more bakery treats flooding in from students and staff who are generously providing a delicious and colourful plate or tray of goods to sell at the morning tea.
9:00am
Set up for today’s UOW Biggest Morning Tea is underway! A combined effort from UOW Wellbeing, Cancer Council on Campus, Illawarra Public Health Society, UOW Rotaract and several keen bakers on campus is allowing this ‘biggest’ morning tea to live up to its name.
8:00am
It’s Thursday 28th May…which means all over Australia, community groups, workplaces, families and friends are gathering to hold their own Biggest Morning Tea, to raise money for the Cancer Council. Over 28,000 are hosting a Biggest Morning Tea, including at our UOW main campus today, 9:30am – 1:30pm.
