General News
27 April, 2026
Love Your Mum is back
An iconic Wimmera culinary combination will return to Horsham Town Hall next month, with Mary and Teresa Marchesini preparing another special Mother’s Day afternoon tea to raise money for women’s health services.
The popular “Love Your Mum” event will be held at the Heritage Hall on May 10 from 1.30pm to 4.30pm, marking the second time the community fundraiser has been staged.
One of the organisers, Robyn Lardner, said the event built on the success of the first afternoon tea in 2024, which drew strong community support.
“This is the second time we have held the Love Your Mum event,” she said.
Ms Lardner said the first event paid tribute to Susan Schilling, who died at 57 from cardiac complications, with proceeds directed to cardiac equipment at Horsham’s health service and the Royal Flying Doctor Service.
This year, organisers will focus on improving facilities for mothers and babies at Grampians Health Horsham.
“The proceeds will be going to the Yandilla Ward at the Horsham site, to upgrade a room that actually has no bathroom facilities,” Ms Lardner said.
She said the room had been repurposed from a former children’s area and now needed refurbishment to better serve mothers and babies.
“They are going to refurbish it so it can be used for mothers and babies, and put in a private ensuite,” she said.
The event will also again support the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS), with guest speakers from both the hospital and the RFDS discussing women’s health services.
Ms Lardner said organisers hoped to match last year’s attendance of 160 guests with a garden-inspired afternoon featuring live entertainment, guest speakers, raffles and prizes.
“We have a large raffle that we are selling tickets already through the Horsham Plaza,” she said.
She said more than 50 local businesses had backed the fundraiser by donating prizes, while lucky envelopes would give guests the chance to win prizes valued from $50 to $200.
Mary Marchesini said community enthusiasm had encouraged the sisters to bring the event back.
“We often get asked if we are going to do this afternoon tea again because it has been two years since the first one,” she said.
Despite the scale of the catering effort, she said the sisters were excited to do it all again.
“It’s the biggest catering project we’ve ever taken on, and it was a great success, so we are keen to go again,” she said.
Volunteers are also helping behind the scenes, including Helen Fisher, who will manage the kitchen, and Lee Elliott, who will decorate the tables to match the garden theme.
Paramedic and vocalist Molly McGee will provide entertainment during the afternoon.
Ms Lardner encouraged people to attend, including those whose mothers had passed away.
“If people don’t have a mum on that day, they might like to bring a photo and place it on the table in memory of their mum,” she said.
Tickets cost $55 and include complimentary refreshments on arrival.
They are available from Horsham Plaza centre management on 5382 0912 or by contacting Robyn Lardner on 0400 769 900.