Community
18 March, 2026
Hats and high tea
PORT Campbell fire brigade is hosting a Hats and High Tea event on Friday, April 3 to support the Good Friday Appeal, promising an elegant afternoon of conversation, music and delicious food to mark the occasion.
Held at the Port Campbell Surf Lifesaving Club, tickets are a $55 donation to the Good Friday Appeal and include a glass of bubbles or orange juice on arrival and afternoon tea.
The ticket also includes an entry into a raffle for which there are two potential prizes, a Cadbury basket and a gourmet hamper – both provided by the Good Friday Appeal.
Port Campbell fire brigade community engagement officer Sarah-Jane Walsh said the idea to include hats and high tea together came from both the brigade and a fellow community member.
“Last year we as a brigade went around and rattled the tins and we were very successful doing that, and we thought we would go one step further and organise this event,” she said.
“Sue Younis, who is the local milliner and is well known in the south west if not a lot more broadly, suggested we do some hats and we suggested high tea, and that’s how it all started.
“What we’re going to have on the day is actually growing as we speak.
“There will be a hat parade during the afternoon – Sue Younis is going to have some models do a parade of the latest fashion hats she’s made.
“There will be three hours of music, scones, finger food, cakes and tea and people can also buy drinks at the bar if they want to.”
There will also be a silent auction, with items donated from local community members and businesses, and food for the event has also been generously donated by local businesses.
Apostles Group deputy group officer Katy Millard said they were overwhelmed with the amount of community support they had received so far.
“We’re having a live trio of music – Clare Younis, Peter Younis and Drew Deppeler – who are local musicians and vocalists and it will be lovely to have them in the background on the day,” she said.
“Every time we’ve asked, everybody has said yes, and over-delivered as well.
“We’ve been very surprised at the generosity of people – they just haven’t hesitated to say yes and support the event.
“But I think when it’s the Royal Children’s Hospital – everyone’s been touched by the Royal Children’s Hospital or know somebody who’s been there.”
Ms Millard said the brigade was excited to be hosting an event on a day which was usually quiet around town.
“This community is very active but I don’t think we’ve had something like this for a very long time,” she said.
“Just something where people can go and chat, eat some nice food and connect with each other.
“We’re very happy with how the ticket sales have gone so far but we’d obviously like more people to get on board.
“As it’s our first event we weren’t sure how it was going to go.
“We’re pretty excited and the first time you organise something is always working out the best ideas and Sarah-Jane and I have a lot of energy so we’re finding the best way of doing it.”
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