More than 150 people gathered for the inaugural Hats and Champagne event at the Warrnambool racecourse on Thursday. Women browsed the latest hats and headpieces by five south-west milliners including Georgina Conheady, who was the guest speaker. South West Healthcare Warrnambool Auxiliary president Carolyn Monaghan said the inaugural event was a great success. We’re absolutely thrilled,” she said. “It’s unbelievable. To have all of these local milliners is fantastic and they’re all buying hats. It’s very exciting. It’s abuzz.” Mrs Monaghan said people had come from Terang, Portland and Port Fairy to attend and mingled over canapes and a glass of champagne. “What an opportunity for women to come and try on a lovely hat and the different styles and get to know the milliners.”
Inaugural Hats and Champagne event hailed a success | photos
Event: The Public Dining Room was filled with more than 150 people with the proceeds going to the hospital's rehabilitation unit.
Social: Sandra Couch and Kristen Berger were some of the south-west residents who attended the inaugural fundraiser.
Friends: Jodi Leahy and Leah Habel prepare to check out the hats and headpieces which were for sale on the night.
Races ready: Wendy Mitcham and Marg Livingston enjoy the evening's celebrations at the new event.
Fun: Annie O'Keeffe and Helen Boyd enjoy a drink ahead of hearing from guest speaker and milliner Georgina Conheady.
Catch up: Michelle Conheady, Teresa Conheady and Monica Heffernan enjoyed browsing the hats and headpieces on offer.
Spring is in the air: Bernadette McKinnon and Sue Dawson share a laugh at the Hats and Champagne event.
Carnival atmosphere: Heather Gleeson and Andrea Lane were some of the many women who went along to support the South West Healthcare Warrnambool Auxiliary.
Racing fans: Dianna McLEan and Mia Voight enjoy the social side of the event which included pieces by south-west milliners.
More than 150 people gathered for the inaugural Hats and Champagne event at the Warrnambool racecourse on Thursday.
Women browsed the latest hats and headpieces by five south-west milliners including Georgina Conheady, who was the guest speaker.
South West Healthcare Warrnambool Auxiliary president Carolyn Monaghan said the inaugural event was a great success. We’re absolutely thrilled,” she said.
“It’s unbelievable. To have all of these local milliners is fantastic and they’re all buying hats. It’s very exciting. It’s abuzz.”
Mrs Monaghan said people had come from Terang, Portland and Port Fairy to attend and mingled over canapes and a glass of champagne.
“What an opportunity for women to come and try on a lovely hat and the different styles and get to know the milliners.”
More than 150 people have gathered at the Wbl racecourse for the inaugural Hats and Champagne event to raise funds for South West Heathcare #swvicnewspic.twitter.com/kpH4HP1kQI