THIS year’s Rose Lodge Fete funds will be directed towards providing more shelter for residents in the courtyard, Saturday’s event a huge success with an excellent turnout.
CEO Shane Jenkins was delighted people were there waiting for the fete to open, estimating hundreds had come through since, and there was still plenty of time left at that stage.
He was busy helping with preparation of the popular Devonshire Teas, having heeded the message to be generous with the cream.
Shane stressed that while the money raised is important, there is more to the fete.
“It’s also about bringing community in,” he said, adding the event strengthens the connection with community and showcases Rose Lodge.
Local businesses and community members played their part, generously donating $900 worth of prizes for the raffle.
Carolyn Thompson, Rose Lodge’s lifestyle manager, who along with her lifestyle team organises the fete, noted it has become an annual tradition, running for about 20 years.
“We raise money for the residents’ wellbeing,” she said, giving the example of having bought massage chairs with previous fete-derived funding.
“The residents do all the gardening and craft items,” Carolyn said.
That undoubtedly makes for a great fete each year and keeps residents active and engaged.
One of those residents, Daphne Nelson, had 48 of her beanies for sale and was relishing being part of the day.
“I know I’m giving enjoyment to everyone else and it keeps me occupied,” she said.
“Being in business all my life, I’m used to having people around.”
Daphne noted there are lots of clever people at the Lodge, their creativity on show for fete attendees.
She praised the staff and volunteers, explaining that while she didn’t initially want to come to the Lodge, she couldn’t be in a better place.
Staff and volunteers enthusiastically threw themselves into a variety of roles to ensure the fete’s success, including baking, running the café and the sausage sizzle, selling raffle tickets and manning the white elephant stalls for which they donated items.
Volunteer Jill Watson was described as “an absolute legend”, having devoted three days to baking cakes and slices for the fete, while the Rose Lodge chefs were praised for their scones.
As usual, this scribe didn’t miss the opportunity for Devonshire Tea and would have stuck around for longer if not for cricket duties.
