The Torquay fundraiser that draws a crowd every year

ONE of Torquay’s most enduring community fundraisers returns next week, with more than 200 women expected to turn out in support of St Therese Primary School.

The annual Mother’s Day Luncheon will be held at the Torquay Taphouse on Friday 1 May, drawing a mix of parents, locals and business owners for an afternoon focused on community and fundraising.

Committee member Lauren Harris said the event had been running for more than 20 years.

“It’s always been a big event on the Torquay social calendar,” she said. “We have mainly St Therese parents attending, but also many other local mums and businesspeople.

“It’s all about fun, community connection and making the lives of our school children as good as it can be.”

Last year’s event raised $24,000, with funds directed towards a playground redevelopment.

This year, proceeds will go towards new sports equipment, flagpoles to display the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags, outdoor quiet play areas and board games for wet weather days.

 

Harris said strong backing from local businesses had helped build momentum again this year.

“We’ve got some amazing business support from across the Surf Coast and wider community,” she said. “We feel very confident in getting to that target if we are well supported.”

An online raffle will again be a major fundraising driver, with organisers hoping to attract support beyond the school community.

“We are keen to get people beyond the school to sink their teeth into the raffle,” Harris said.

“This will only help us further in enhancing all the great work we are already doing at the school.”

The raffle is open at raffletix.com.au/sttheresemothersday2026

An afterparty will follow the luncheon. It is open to all Torquay mothers and features a disco-themed night of DJs, dancing and food. Tickets are $25 via trybooking.com/DKGOI