White Elephant Lunch: All-white event raises thousands for charity

Co-chair Katelyn Spokes said the organising committee behind the traditional spring ball had added a lunch event after the horror coronavirus year.

"We've had a horrific 12 months. Nobody's been able to attend any events or really socialise. We thought that by having the White Lunch it gives people an event to come to but also introduces everyone to what the ball is going to be like," she said.

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About 180 white-clad revellers gathered in the Tamworth Hotel's beer garden for a good time and a good cause on Saturday afternoon.

Mrs Spokes said every dollar was going to youth mental health charity batyr.

The organisation conducts mental health mentoring in primary schools, aiming to prevent mental health problems from emerging in young people.

She said 2020 was a tough year for many school-age children.

"We have seen an increase in mental health problems over the last 12 months as young children have had to school from home, numbers have risen," she said.

"More than ever we need that backing so these young people have the support they need."

The White Elephant ball, cancelled in 2020 due to coronavirus, is penciled in for October.

The annual event was started seven years ago by Katrina Campbell, after the tragic loss of her husband Scott to suicide.

The last event raised more than $45,000 for the mental health organisation batyr.

Just 274 tickets will be sold for the October event, which is expected to sell out.

Mrs Spokes said it was in the hands of the pandemic whether that number could be boosted.

"At the moment we're limited because of COVID," she said.

"274 is our number with town hall restrictions. Fingers cross COVID-19 can allow us to extend that."

But why all white?

Mrs Spokes said the reason behind the unusual dress code was dead simple.

"Mental health is quite a dark space, so let's bring the lightness into the room," she said.

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