Community
5 June, 2025
Mortlake’s biggest morning tea proved a success
A MORTLAKE-BASED business owner paid tribute to her late father through raising funds for Cancer Council at a Biggest Morning Tea event last week.
Knot Just Hair owner Emily Thorne welcomed almost 30 visitors into her store last Friday morning to host the event, which raised around $300.
She said she had been inspired to host the event after her father, John Thorne, died of cancer when she was just ten years-old.
“Back then there wasn’t a lot of funding for research into how to prevent the disease,” she said.
“Trying to raise money to give back to those who will help someone else is what had sparked my interest in hosting the event.”
Ms Thorne said she was pleased with the turnout in what was her first year hosting the event.
“I didn’t expect people to show up but we had around 28 people on the day,” she said.
“It’s not the $1000 I was hoping to raise but, given it was a Friday morning when most people are at work, I think we did pretty good.
“I had not met half of the people who were there before so we got talking about what I’ve done with the store renovations – we talked about that and things we could put forward to the council to bring more people to Mortlake.
“It was good to come together to raise funds for one thing, but then chat about so much more.”
Ms Thorne said she was eager to host the event again next year, and would only set her sights bigger.
“I think next year I’m going to do it and start promoting it a little earlier than I did this year, and I might even host it on a Saturday,” she said.
“I’ll have to work it out because a lot of people in Mortlake play football and a lot of farmers work mornings, so maybe something at brunch time.
“Hopefully I can find a time everyone is a little less busy.”
Those attending were treated to complimentary cakes, waffles, croissants, chocolate, fresh fruit and much more.
Ms Thorne thanked other local businesses for showing their support.
“Rachel Kerr from Project Platter in Camperdown sold the grazing boxes to me at a discounted price because it was for a good cause, and Mac’s Hotel donated the coffee cups,” she said.
“It was pretty amazing support.”
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