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Ladies Who Lunch — a buffet of community support

Lesley Hart and Lisa Marwood raise a glass. Photo by Rechelle Zammit

Ladies Who Lunch is still in its infancy, with the 2024 event being only the second year it has been held.

Happily, it went off without a hitch.

Ladies Who Lunch chair Lisa McKenzie said the event was a huge success, with 700 people attending.

The exact amount raised is yet to be calculated; however, Ms McKenzie said it was around $100,000.

“We couldn’t be happier,” she said.

“There was such a buzz in the room, the comedian Claire Hooper was a huge hit, there was just such a sense of community and support for each other and for women experiencing cancer and for GV Health.

“There was just an overwhelming sense of fun, enjoyment, coming together for a good time and a lot of generosity in the room.”

She said the committee was ready to look forward to next year’s event.

“I think we’re really hitting the mark, so we’ll have a review and listen to any feedback, but it does feel as though we’re on a pretty good formula,” Ms McKenzie said.

“But we definitely got some fantastic feedback on the day.”

She said one of the highlights was the work of the committee in getting the day together.

“What an amazing, hard-working committee it was, and how wonderful they were,” she said.

“The effort and the support that we got from particularly small local businesses was incredible.”

News photographer Rechelle Zammit attended the event. Here’s how Ladies Who Lunch looked through the lens.

Ladies Who Lunch committee members. Photo by Rechelle Zammit
A few of the silent auction hampers. Photo by Rechelle Zammit
MC Tegan Higgenbotham rocks the mic. Photo by Rechelle Zammit
The crowd locks in on the event’s proceedings. Photo by Rechelle Zammit
Roslyn Mayne, Sharon McCarthy and Leonie Georgiou. Photo by Rechelle Zammit
Comedian Claire Hooper entertains the attendees. Photo by Rechelle Zammit
Graham Hill Eyewear optical dispenser Jill Maude. Photo by Rechelle Zammit
Evans Shoes’ Stacey D’Agruma, Josie Derose, Jane Shaholli and Tan Brewer. Photo by Rechelle Zammit
Graham Hill Eyecare director Mark DePaola. Photo by Rechelle Zammit
Past News staff Jackie Turton, Raelene Mundie, Angela Comline, Gillian Smith and Melissa Hudson. Photo by Rechelle Zammit
Simone Dunne and Mel Wright. Photo by Rechelle Zammit
Best friends Olivia Harry, 13, and Macie Gilmour, 13. Photo by Rechelle Zammit
Stephen Schneider from Stephen’s Jewellers. Photo by Rechelle Zammit
Niki Talic, Sham Ravi and Raathika Saranathan. Photo by Rechelle Zammit
The crowd piles in to the main event area. Photo by Rechelle Zammit
There’s plenty of pink across Welsford St as the event’s attendees arrive. Photo by Rechelle Zammit