Community Events

Lunar New Year - Friday 26 February

Our Annual Lunar New Year Celebration took on a different aspect this year. Responding to an invitation sent in English, Chinese and Vietnamese, over 200 guests crowded the Mansion Forecourt to celebrate the Year of the Ox at an outdoor noodle market. Stalls were set up to offer drinks, noodles, dumplings, chicken skewers, Bao buns, spring rolls and the everpopular egg tarts. ‘Happy Ox Boxes’ were available for the children.

Guests sported a ‘touch of red’ and even Mandeville Hall was glowing red for the occasion. Katie-Rose Smith and her Performing Arts Team decorated the forecourt in fine colourful style with parasols, bikes, flowers and glittering red fabrics. While the guests sampled the delicious menu provided by Chef Kam and his team, a troop of Lion Dancers and musicians burst out of the Mandeville Centre and cavorted up the driveway with a ferocious din of drums and cymbals; much to the delight of adults and children alike. As the sun began to set and the evening drew to a close, there was a spectacular performance by a fire juggling duo on St Michael’s Green. Lit against the darkening sky they thrilled the audience with their electrifying act.

Parents’ Association Tennis Day - Thursday 18 March

On Thursday 18 March, Royal South Yarra Lawn Tennis Club hosted our tennis enthusiasts to a great day of tennis and lunch. Cardio tennis was again popular, but there was still plenty of traditional tennis played. A delicious lunch was enjoyed after the morning’s activities and it was lovely to have some non-tennis players join the group for the meal.

We are most grateful to our 2021 Convenors, Nardine Bamford and Jo Evans for their wonderful work coordinating this event.

Ladies’ Luncheon - Friday 7 May

The Annual Ladies’ Luncheon exceeded all records with over 500 excited ladies attending a new venue – the Victory Room at Marvel Stadium. The weather was perfect and guests were able to take in the spectacular panorama of Victoria Harbour from the Victory Promenade while sampling canapes and sipping preluncheon drinks.

Colour and style were the order of the day with the well-dressed crowd abuzz with the excitement of being able to gather and greet each other again after the forced cancellation of last year’s event.

The menu was delicious and champagne flowed freely as the attendees browsed the Silent Auction offerings and purchased Raffle Tickets to support the Give a Girl a Dream Fund. Thanks to the very generous patronage of Loreto Toorak mothers, over $40,000 was raised.