Girls go all out for the cause

Locavore Studio chef Jessie Crossley with Yarra Valley Collective's Reannah Stevens and Kate Fraraccio and Sir Paz Estate's Peter Zapris. 159153 Picture: ROB CAREW

By Jesse Graham

A WOMEN’S day out will be held next month to raise money for breast cancer research, with food, wine and speakers at Wandin’s Sir Paz Estate.
The lunch event, to be held on Thursday 13 October, is being organised by The Valley Collective, an event planning service run by Kate Fraraccio and Reannah Stevens.
Ms Stevens said the day would be the second year they had run a fund-raising event, and that a portion of the ticket price and funds from a raffle would go to the Cancer Council of Victoria.
“We all know someone who is either going through the battle, been through the battle or has lost someone,” she said.
“It’s something everyone can relate to, whether it’s firsthand or they know someone. (And) We like any excuse for women, especially local women, to go out and sit and enjoy themselves for a good cause.”
She said the event was a “fantastic” opportunity for women to network, and that 2015’s event had seen women from around the valley talk about their work with one another – and raise almost $2000 from a raffle.
Tickets to the lunch event are $105 per person, which covers canapes on arrival and a two-course lunch with matched wines, and must be booked by 6 October.
Ms Fraraccio said the venue had been donated, as had the chef’s time, and that businesses had donated items towards the raffle.
For more information about the event, or to donate to the raffle, email hello@thevalleycollective.com.au