General News
22 May, 2023
Cuppa for Cancer close to home for the Skilbeck family
The Cancer Council’s Biggest Morning Tea, now in its 30th year, is an annual fundraiser that encourages communities across the country to organise a morning tea event and donate to the organisation’s research into cancer. The Skilbeck’s event...
For 25 years Peter and Lilian Skilbeck have been opening their home to the public in a show of empowerment, hosting a Biggest Morning Tea event to support for those with cancer.
The couple have opened the doors to their home and garden at the historic Plaistow Homestead at Joyces Creek Since around 1998 to host a Biggest Morning Tea event, raising money for cancer research while offering a entertaining morning outing.
It’s a cause close to home for the Skilbecks, with Lilian a survivor and the couple sadly losing a daughter to cancer.
“We host the event because I’m a survivor, I had cancer surgery in 1984 and basically haven’t looked back,” Lilian said.
“Our daughter wasn’t as lucky, she always thought she was going to be because I had the strong genes to get through.
“It was my daughter who convinced me that I had to pay it back for making it through, which is why we started hosting the Biggest Morning Tea.”
The Cancer Council’s Biggest Morning Tea, now in its 30th year, is an annual fundraiser that encourages communities across the country to organise a morning tea event and donate to the organisation’s research into cancer.
The Skilbeck’s event has grown from a small gathering in front of the fireplace in its first year to now seeing up to 200 people through the doors and Lilian said the feel of the Biggest Morning Tea has changed over time.
“The event has become less intimate over the years as more and more people have come along, but we do try very hard to speak to everyone,” she said.
“We’ve always done a variety of scones for the Biggest Morning Tea and I was always in the kitchen doing that but now our granddaughters have taken that on.
“The number of volunteers who help out has grown each year which is great, we get an immediate response whenever we put a call out.
“It’s become a community effort in a way which is really nice.”
It’s unclear exactly how much money the Skilbeck’s have raised for the Cancer Council, however in 2019 it was estimated the pair had raised some $30,000.
Peter said there are always interesting discussions that come up during the morning tea, with personal stories about cancer often brought up.
“We have a fire pit going outside and it’s always really interesting to listen to the discussions between people, some of the stories they tell and the notes they compare,” he said.
“They’re conversations that don’t necessarily happen elsewhere.
“We have people travel from all over for this, some come from Melbourne, Ballarat, Bendigo and everywhere inbetween.
“I think it’s quite nice that this event is here and everyone can share their story if they want to and feel comfortable to do so.”
As with past years, there will be live music throughout the morning with a number of stalls, a bottomless morning tea and scones fresh from the oven.
The Biggest Morning Tea will run from 10 am until 12.30 pm this Thursday, May 25, from 10 am until 12.30 pm with entry by donation.
All proceeds from the day, including money made at the stalls, is donated to the Cancer Council.
The event is not only a chance to donate to a good cause but to explore an historic local location.
The homestead is registered as a Heritage Place by Heritage Victoria and was settled in 1840 by Colin McKinnon before being sold to George and Alfred Joyce in 1844.
The brick overseer’s hut and store, brick kitchen and main homestead were built between 1844 and 1852.
Plaistow is located at 324 Rodborough Road, Joyces Creek.
To volunteer at the event call Lilian or Peter Skilbeck on 5476-2450 or 0419 884 710.
