"We have many cups of tea and chats. We've known each other for years and we love each other's company," Warmington Lodge resident Janet Smith said about her best friend at the aged care home, June Comins.
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It was the Biggest Morning Tea at Warmington Lodge on Wednesday, May 15 and it was matched with the biggest crowd yet, according to resident activities supervisor Janice Puckett.
Around 160 people - residents and their friends and family - came for cake, biscuits and a cup of tea or coffee and raised $1100 for local cancer patients through CanAssist Yass Valley Branch.
However, it's about much more than just fundraising activities supervisor Ms Puckett said. She has organised the annual event for the past five years or so.
"It means a lot to the residents," she said.
There's the saying that there is nothing a cup of tea can't fix and this rings true for many at Warmington Lodge.
Morning tea for residents can often be the difference from sitting alone in their room.
"Communication is wonderful if you like to receive it," said Ms Smith, the first Warmington Lodge resident the Tribune spoke to.
She and her best friend Ms Comins, as well as Helen Shannon who was also sat at their table, were friends in Yass before moving into Warmington Lodge.
Ms Comins said she couldn't think of a better three people to have a cuppa with.
"I have no one else my age around at 95. These three are the closest in age to me, although they are not quite as old as me," Ms Comins said.
"Most here are talking about their grandchildren; I'm talking about my great-grandchildren. I have 16," she said.
Also at the table was Gwen Blundell. She said she couldn't pick just one friend to have a cuppa with "because I've got so many [laughs]."
"We look after one another," she said. "It's like when we go to bingo, we don't go to win money, we go to meet everyone."
Over on the sofa enjoying a cup of coffee in the sunshine was Geraldine Smith.
"Look at all of these people here," she said. "Everyone is very friendly."
Another pair of friends, Mary Hughes and Helena Van Den Bulk can always be found gossiping at the back of the dining room at Warmington Lodge.
"We always sit next to each other," Ms Hughes said.
Enjoying a cuppa and a chat is a "habit" for the two friends, Ms Hughes said. "But then you know me, I'm a chatterbox, I can never stop talking."
Why not take the opportunity to meet someone new or an old friend for a cuppa and a natter during Australia's Biggest Morning Tea next Thursday, May 23?
You can organise your own by visiting www.biggestmorningtea.com.au or head to Yass Soldiers Memorial Hall from 9.30am-12.30pm to join the morning tea organised by Yass Valley Council.
