Fiji embraces cancer morning tea concept
Published on 07 August, 2006
The pikelets were plentiful, the cream buns were irresistible and the tea flowed hot and strong.
`Fiji’s Biggest Morning Tea’ was the start of what has been a hectic week for students and staff of CQU Fiji International Campus, who have settled into the new term with food, fun and a little fitness.
The `Biggest Morning Tea’ concept has been a hugely popular annual event in Australia for over 12 years and has raised millions of dollars for The Cancer Council Australia in that time. This year, the Fiji Cancer Society launched the concept to raise funds for a much-needed cancer hospice.
Organiser Amy McDonald was familiar with the event in Australia, and decided to put together a staff `do’ for the occasion.
“I was hoping that staff would be interested in the `BMT’ concept and was delighted when they embraced it wholeheartedly. Gatherings that involve food are always popular, so it was a great opportunity for us to get together for a worthy cause”.
Over $200 was raised for Fiji’s first cancer hospice, the result of cash contributions and proceeds from a `mega-raffle’ with donated prizes from a range of local businesses such as Pizza Hut, Ricoh and the neighbourhood supermarket and bakery. The boardroom was transformed with a tropical `Bula’ theme and guests munched steadily through a selection of homemade goodies and traditional fare.
While staff raised money for cancer, students from the CQU FIC Touch Team were conducting fundraising of their own on campus. With Suva’s Tertiary Games fast approaching, the team decided that a hot dog stall would wet the appetites of hungry students to help pay for uniforms and equipment.
The week also heralded the launch of 2 activities that students will be able to enjoy on a regular basis at the Fiji Campus. `Car park Sports’ will take place every Thursday afternoon, with volleyball set to be a hot favourite for those unwinding after lectures. For those less inclined to get active, a free movie afternoon has been arranged each month, with latest releases kindly provided by the local Video Ezy store.
So amidst this flurry of activity, you may well ask where students are finding time for study at the Fiji Campus? Hmmm. That’s scheduled for next week.