A ton of mums

By Jane Gardner

A popular Mother’s Day luncheon has been a major fundraiser for the Wallace & District Kindergarten for an impressive 36-years. Each year, a dedicated team of kindergarten mums (and probably some dads too) organise and host a luncheon for upwards of 130 mothers, mothers-in-law, nannas, aunts, kinder teachers (including previous kinder teachers) and friends.
This year, there were even one or two brave fathers and grandfathers who joined the happy crowd for a two-course meal of roast and pudding at the Bungaree Community Centre.
Traditional competitions and prizes were on offer throughout the day, with many mums winning on the spinning wheel, silent auction and lucky numbers. Meanwhile, there was lots to buy at the produce stalls including fresh fruit, potatoes, eggs, flowers and home-made cakes from the cake stall. Framed artwork, created by the talented 3 and 4 year olds from the kindergarten was also purchased by their proud parents and grandparents.
Thanks to the enthusiastic contributions of the lunch guests on the day, including a generous $2000 donation from the Ballan & District Community Bank (Bendigo Bank) the Mother’s Day Luncheon raised approximately $7000.
The kindergarten plans to spend some of the funds on a proposed bush tucker garden featuring local indigenous plants, which will provide a sensory, edible and sustainable garden for the children to engage with the environment (and each other) and learn about local Wadawurrung culture.