General News
9 May, 2026
Mother Day Tea Launch
The Wimmera Mallee Pioneer Museum will launch its Devonshire Tea Experience on Mother’s Day, inviting families and community members to enjoy morning tea while supporting the museum’s future events and preservation work.
The Mother’s Day Devonshire Tea will take place in Jeparit on Sunday, 10 May, from 10.30am to 1.30pm at the museum.
Event organiser and museum co-secretary Natalia Aguirre said the Mother’s Day event would introduce the museum’s new regular morning tea program.
“We’re introducing it for Mother’s Day,” she said.
“We did come to an agreement that we’re going to do it every Sunday from now on, and also on special dates.”
Ms Aguirre said bookings were important so organisers could prepare enough food and cater for visitors’ needs.
“Bookings are essential as we need to prepare and also cater for special dietary needs, like gluten-free, vegan and everything,” she said.
The Devonshire Tea experience will include tea and coffee, freshly made scones, homemade jam, and basic club sandwiches, with organisers aiming to support local makers where possible.
“We’ve got a price in for $15, which includes tea, coffee, as many times as they want to repeat it, freshly made scones and club sandwiches as well,” Ms Aguirre said.
She said the homemade food would be a special part of the experience.
“It’s especially the freshly made scones and homemade jam, and it’s not the ones that you buy from the shop,” she said.
“We’re trying to also support all the other local jam makers.”
Funds raised through the Devonshire Tea will support future museum events and preservation activities.
Ms Aguirre said fundraising through events would help the museum continue to offer community activities.
“All the money will be raised, and every penny will be rolled over to the next event,” she said.
“Any fundraiser money, any event that we do as a fundraiser, we use for the museum and for the next event because we don’t have sponsors.”
Visitors are encouraged to wear pioneer-era costumes to embrace the museum’s spirit, though dressing up is completely optional. Families and children are also welcome.
Ms Aguirre said she wanted the event to be open and affordable for everyone.
“I’m just trying to make it inclusive for everybody and at an affordable price, so that everybody can attend,” she said.
“People of all ages are welcome, so bring your family. For kids, even for a gold coin donation, they can also attend.”
She encouraged the community to come along, enjoy the morning tea and support the museum’s work.
“Just come and enjoy it and come and support the museum to preserve, as we’re also trying to preserve everything that is in there,” she said.
“We’ve got big plans for the museum.”
Tickets cost $15 for general admission and $12 for members. Bookings are essential, with at least 24 hours’ notice required.
Bookings can be made by emailing wmpmjepairt@gmail.com or calling 0478 835 487.