Corks to stop popping after two decades of pink

Hundreds of women will pack out one of the largest marquees in the southern hemisphere, in a town proud to be pink, for the last time next month.

THINK PINK: Erin, Gabi, and Alex Pechey attended their first WPLD last year with Jen McCormack, Fiona Hill and Odette Heitzmann from Glenmorgan. Picture: Contributed

HUNDREDS of women will pack out one of the largest marquees in the southern hemisphere, in a town proud to be pink, for the last time next month.

Weengallon's Champagne Pink Ladies' Day will have 700 women raise their glasses as the event celebrates its 20th, and last, year on August 28.

A far cry from the 40 women who gathered in a tin shed in the red-ridge town in 2000 to raise money to buy cleaning products for their mobile kindergarten, the event has quickly transform- ed into a ladies' day out with breast cancer at its' core.

Co-ordinator Emma Montgomery said this year's WPLD would serve up a day of shopping, lunch and laughter, with even more tables and supporting infra- structure added to accom- modate the ever-growing success of the event.

"Every year, Weengallon Pink Ladies' Day nourishes the soul by bringing beautiful strong women together and creating a day of energy, joy and sparkle that celebrates all that is good in life,” she said.

"We are loving our champagne theme this year, which provides the perfect opportunity for friends to pop some bubble and toast Weengallon's amazing milestone.

"This year's WPLD will also challenge the public focus on early breast cancer and fighting and winning the battle by asking: what if you knew you couldn't win?”

Leanne Murphy' from Crows Nest, who has been living with advanced breast cancer for three years, will be in attendance as the guest speaker and throw the need for fund-raising into the spotlight.

"WPLD has seen the employment of breast cancer nurses in St George and Goondiwindi, the provision of free accommodation for cancer patients through the Olive McMahon, as well as funding BPCAQ targeted grants for local patients,” Ms Montgomery said.

"To commemorate the 20th year and all that Weengallon means to so many, Christina Duddy from The Diamond Hunter, has commissioned and donated a $5000 pink morganite and diamond dress ring as a special premium raffle prize.”

The ladies' day will also mark the milestone of Gabi Pechey's 21st birthday, one of the three daughters of the late Janine Pechey, who lost her battle to breast cancer in March last year.

"For us attending Weengallon last year for the first time was incredibly special and bitter sweet,” Miss Pechey said.

"This day is a true testament to the hard working committee and our generous community.”

Tickets go on sale on Monday, July 22, through ww.pinkladiesday.com.

Originally published as Corks to stop popping after two decades of pink