Rotary long lunch committee members Carolyn Monaghan and Barry Brooker raise a toast to another successful event at Simon's On The Waterfront yesterday.
ROWS of wine and oysters were eagerly devoured yesterday by smartly and brightly-dressed Rotarians, all for a good cause.
The indulgence took place as Rotary celebrated its 15th longest lunch to raise money for community groups.
Wine glasses were also filled to the brim at Simon’s On The Waterfront to send money to the scorched out communities in the Grampians and the Victorian Alps, where contained fires are still smouldering.
Lunch organiser Carolyn Monaghan said 97 seats were filled for yesterday’s ticket luncheon, once part of the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival.
Years ago the group decided to split from the festival and have eaten and dined local ever since.
“We’ve been going for about 15 years and it’s the second year in a row at the surf club,” Ms Monaghan said.
“It raises money for local charities but also this year for the bushfire appeal.” By late yesterday afternoon, the crowded room was gearing up for music and an auction aimed at raising more than $3500.
With 15 years under the belt, Ms Monaghan said the lunches had developed into a drawcard, if not a more mature event.
“We always have music and a bit of dancing, but not on the tables any more,” she joked.