In October, Oak Tree hosted Market Day events at our Dubbo and Mudgee retirement villages, bringing together residents, families, friends, and the wider community for two unforgettable days of fundraising and fun!
Oak Tree Dubbo transformed into a bustling hub on the 13th as we hosted our highly anticipated Sunday Market, a special event Village Manager Joanne Wodson has had in the works for months! The day was dedicated to fundraising for the Pink Angels, an incredible local charity in support of people with breast cancer.
The Pink Angels mission is to provide care, help, and support to breast cancer patients throughout the Dubbo region, from accommodation, travel costs, and meals, to prosthetics, medications, and dental care. They are an organisation Oak Tree were proud to partner with, as their selfless work is a much-needed resource in the community.
With over 30 stalls showcasing a variety of handmade goods and local products, there was something for everyone to explore at the Sunday Market. The South Dubbo Rotary served up a delicious barbeque, while the Country Women’s Association served traditional Devonshire Teas. We are truly grateful to receive such amazing support from these local organisations at our village events.
“The Sunday Market was an amazing day with perfect weather and such a wonderful crowd of people! We were touched to hear so many visitors share how the Pink Angels have personally supported them on their breast cancer journey—it made the day even more special,” says Pam Urquard from the Pink Angels Charity.
“There’s still talk in the local community about what an amazing day it was!”
We also had a coffee van and gluten-free donuts for guests to enjoy while wandering through the stalls, and a free face painting station which was a hit with the kids.
Thanks to the dedicated efforts of the Pink Angels Charity, the Central West Village Managers who assisted on the day, our wonderful stallholders and our incredibly generous Dubbo community, the event saw over 500 people attend, setting a record for Oak Tree events!
Over $4000 was raised in support of the Pink Angels Charity, highlighting the power of community spirit and what can be achieved when we all come together to support a common cause.
“It’s been so special to see this event come together and be so well supported by our local community,” says Joanne Wodson, Oak Tree Dubbo Village Manager.
“A huge thank you to the amazing group of ladies from the Pink Angels Charity who allowed us the opportunity to raise funds on their behalf. We are extremely grateful for all the help they provided to make this event so successful.”
Two weeks later, on the 27th of October, Oak Tree Mudgee hosted its 3rd annual Market Day to raise funds for Can Assist Mudgee, a vital, non-for-profit organisation dedicated to ensuring that all people, regardless of where they live in New South Wales, have equitable access to cancer treatment and care by providing financial assistance and raising awareness.
Can Assist’s mission resonates deeply with us at Oak Tree, as we are passionate about allowing Australian seniors in regional areas to retire in the place where they’ve put down their roots. We are always eager to support charities like Can Assist, as it allows them to continue to make a difference.
As always, the Market Day drew a wonderful crowd that filled the village with an exciting, bustling vibe, creating a true celebration of community!
The market featured over 20 stalls, offering beautiful handmade goods, jewellery, clothing, plants, and delicious food. With a barbeque lunch and traditional Devonshire Teas on the menu, it was the perfect setting for socialising and early Christmas shopping, all while supporting a very worthy cause!
The highlight of the day was the raffle which raised over $500 and saw seven lucky winners take home an array of wonderful prizes.
“This was the third annual Market Day we’ve hosted to raise funds for Can Assist, and each year it gets bigger and better! We had more wonderful stallholders, more people through the door, and raised more money than ever for such a worthy cause,” says Village Manager Rebecca Redfern.
“It was great to see the residents dedicate their time and effort to make the event such a success, by assisting with set up and helping on the day. It goes to show what an amazing community we have here at Oak Tree Mudgee.”
Thanks to the incredible dedication of Village Manager Bec, our residents, wonderful stallholders, and the generosity of everyone who attended, the event was a huge success, raising a grand total of $4741 for Can Assist Mudgee and showcasing the power of community!
“We are absolutely amazed at the incredible amount of money raised at the Market Day! This will go a long way in assisting residents of Mid-Western LGA who are undergoing cancer treatment. Bec did an amazing job of organising the event again this year and we cannot thank her enough,” says John Stuart from Can Assist Mudgee.
The Mudgee Market Day has now become a highlight on the community calendar, and we look forward to hosting many more in years to come.
At Oak Tree, we are deeply passionate about community connection and the importance of supporting local charities. It’s amazing to know that the funds raised from these market day events will make a meaningful impact, helping those in need within our communities.