There's always debate around the most popular showbag of the Sydney Royal Easter Show, but one thing there's usually overwhelming agreement on is the best spot for a bite to eat: the Country Women's Association (CWA) of NSW's famous Tea Room.
The CWA Tea Room's 250-plus volunteers are counting down to the start of the massive event on Thursday, April 2, running through until Monday, April 13.
"Our Tea Room really is an institution at the Sydney Royal Easter Show and so popular with Show patrons, many of whom have been coming for years and make it a 'must do' for their visit," said Tanya Jolly, President of the CWA of NSW.
"The Tea Room is our biggest fundraiser of the year, raising valuable funds for a variety of association causes and initiatives."
Last year, the committee that oversees the CWA Tea Room presented a cheque for $160,000 to the association at its annual conference, which included $10,000 for the CWA of NSW's Disaster Relief Fund that was raised from a raffle run during the Show.
The CWA Tea Room has been running for more than 75 years, selling thousands of Devonshire Teas as well as a raft of other items. Manildra is one of the Tea Room's major sponsors, donating 2.5 tonnes of scone mix that's needed to produce an average of 4000 scones daily.
Since the Show was reduced to 12 days, the scone sales record stands at 49,977. Last year, just over 40,000 were sold. Could there be another record this year?
Many of the CWA Tea Room's volunteers have been working there for many years, enjoying the company of so many others who have become good friends, and finding satisfaction in being involved with such a major fundraising opportunity.
"The Sydney Royal Easter Show is such an iconic event and we're so proud to have been part of it for so many years, helping showcase the very best of rural and regional NSW. Our Show Catering Committee and team of volunteers work so hard to keep the Tea Room running at full capacity for the duration of the Show and we couldn't do it without them," Tanya said.
Madura Tea, Pace Farm Eggs, Sunshine Sugar, Nestle and Pepe Saya are other proud sponsors of the Tea Room. Beerenberg Jams also donates a basket of treat for the association's Disaster Relief Fund raffle.
The CWA Tea Room is open every day of the show from 9.30 am to 6pm.
