One in 200 at the tea and music

Damon Christensen was the only man among 200 women, and he looked quite comfortable with that. All for a good cause, as he was the sound technician for the Tea and Music High Tea organised by the Mercury Bay Lions Club in aid of Project Mammogram launched recently as a joint project for the Mercury Bay club with the Whitianga Lions Club. This was their first official fundraiser for the 3D Mammogram machine and it was, you could say, an “in the pink” success.

178 women were seated at tables, and in addition to that number, a grand team of about 30 Lions women assisted in the hours of preparation and setting up, and generally assisting and serving every table. Damon was the only man in the team.

Special guest speaker was Marguerette Heding, author of “All Veils Are Off”, a graphic and personal account of her family’s experience living in Doha for 8 years. Marguerette talked personally about cultural differences, and the place of women and the lifestyle of expatriates versus residents. She graciously read a chapter on the extraordinary, and belittling process of a medical examination to be accepted into the country.

The food was elegant, extravagant, sweet and ‘ditch the diet stuff’. In the end, you can’t go past whipped cream and jam generously covering a scone. The Golden Girls sang away with their reminiscing tunes from the era of High Teas, accompanied by Audrey Cooper (pictured).

Marguerite stayed for book purchasing, and everyone received a wrapped gift as they left.

Jill Bowker, President of Mercury Bay Lions Club, was thrilled with the day. The event had sold out well before the date, in fact even before the general advertising had gone out.

Project mammogram has set a target of $350,000 in two years. You can donate at Unichem Stephenson’s Pharmacy or make payment direct by internet banking to MB Lions Charitable Trust Account: 03 1578 0088621 00. Include your name in the reference section, and PJM in the code section.