Maxine and Max at the 2024 Bake Off
On Thursday, 10 September from 11.00am, residents are invited to come along, have a cuppa (with some fantastic baked goods), and stay for a chat.
R U OK? Day is an annual event that encourages everyday Aussies to check in on those around them.
Inspired after Gavin Larkin lost his father to suicide in 1995, R U OK became a nation-wide question and was formally founded in 2009. Since that day, the event occurs annually.
R U OK? Encourages four steps to each conversation. Asking ‘R U OK?’, listening without judgement, encouraging action if they need professional help and checking in later.
The day also welcomes the friendly rivalry between the Gundagai Country Women’s Association and the Men’s Shed as they challenge each other to a bake off.
The Gundagai Times was lucky enough to catch up with Maxine Hayes from the CWA and Matt Day from the Men’s Shed ahead of the competition.
“We love the idea of highlighting the R U OK? Day by making an excuse to get together for a cuppa,” says Maxine.
“Matt and I have always really got on well, and we though we’d do a bake off between the Shed and the CWA and see where we go.
“It’s all about fun, getting out of the house and giving it a go.”
In previous years, Matt says they’ve had anywhere between five and ten men from the Shed partaking, although this year he is hoping for more.
“We’ve always got our fingers crossed for more and we are always building people’s awareness, but we honestly don’t know until the day, and that’s always a lovely surprise,” says Maxine.
But how can members from both teams participate?
“Everyone takes it home and brings whatever they have baked, and they’ll have small bites for the judges’ table,” says Matt.
“The rest will go on the public table.”
Menu details are kept hush hush until the event, ensuring no one can sneakily copy the other team.
Four categories will be on offer to win, but details of each won’t be released until the event.
For anyone not competing in the teams, Matt says members of the public can go to the Gundagai District Services Club at 11.00am to join in the fun and listen to the keynote speaker.
“We booked Ross Tout again this year for a keynote speaker,” says Matt.
“He’s a wonderful speaker and he did a really good presentation last year, very emotional,” says Maxine.
The annual bake off event was inspired by Lizzie Britt, who used to run the R U OK? Day for many years within Gundagai.
“That’s another reason that we picked this up, to carry her legacy on,” says Maxine.
Ahead of the competition, Maxine and Matt say they are excited to continue ensuring the hard conversations are had between friends, family and community.
In terms of the competition, the rivalry is starting to heat up.
“There’s always a bit of friendly rivalry,” says Matt.
“The shed makes the trophies for the events, and it’s always sad to see so many of them go to the CWA!
“[However], this year could be the year.”
For now, CWA and Men’s Shed members will be perusing their cookbooks as they find the best cake to start a tough conversation.
Elizabeth Kovacs
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