THERE was a lovely lunch to enjoy on the lush lawns under the mature trees of Lambrigg Homestead, at Tharwa, for the Children’s Medical Research Institute.

It is the quintessential Australian homestead with the memories of Mary Grant Bruce’s “Billabong” series brought to mind though now intruding on the bucolic is the suburb of Gordon visible over the valley.

It is an annual lunch and market stalls event, a lesson in planning, organisation, style and class with an efficient bunch of volunteers who have the perfect formula from inception to finish and are intent on making it a pleasure for everyone.

The support of regular donors is significant and to see the dust fly as the cars arrive and the glam ladies emerge armed with their tables and napery heading for a perfect place in the shade before making a beeline to the bar for the mandatory punch is a signal that it’s all-systems-go,

and we’re here to enjoy it and spend money for this most wonderful organisation.

Every year a representative group from the CMRI joins the party and we hear stories of research success, future efforts and the need for continued fundraising for our most precious littlies.

Country hospitality for a good cause, the best kind of lunching.