After days of scorching heat in the high 30s and 40s, our Annual Christmas Party on Sunday 7 December arrived with a welcome change: a perfect 22 degrees, a white marquee in the garden and space for our community to celebrate and breathe out together.

A long-held CWS tradition

Our Annual Christmas Party is a tradition that has been held for many years as a way for us to say thank you to the people who consistently give their time, dedication and love to Cancer Wellness Support all year round.

In true CWS style, it is hosted by our Board of Directors, who staff the bar, serve the food and make sure everyone feels welcomed. It is their way of showing appreciation to our volunteers, therapists, staff and partners.

Around 100 people joined us this year and enjoyed great food, drinks, conversation, games and heartfelt acknowledgements. Guests were also invited to wander through the garden, take a quiet moment and walk the labyrinth – a simple way to reflect, reset and enjoy the calm of the space.

It felt relaxed, grounded and very much “us”.

The Price Is Right, CWS edition

The Retail team brought the fun with our own version of The Price Is Right.

Each table became a team, guessing the cost of everyday grocery items. There was plenty of laughter, some surprisingly serious strategy and more than a few raised eyebrows when the real prices were revealed.

In the spirit of the day, each table had a winner, taking home a much-loved thrifted coffee mug.

Honouring our therapists

We took time to recognise our therapists for the care, expertise and loving presence they bring to our members and to people living with cancer in our local community.

Their work, often one session at a time, goes a long way to ease pain, calm minds and create a space where people feel supported rather than alone.

Our therapists are a core reason we are able to provide affordable, person-centred cancer care close to home, and we loved taking the time to acknowledge those who could join us on the day.

Reward and Recognition: Our values in action

Our annual Reward and Recognition program, based on our core values, comes together at the Annual Christmas Party where we share the category winners and celebrate those who consistently go above and beyond.

This year, we were proud to recognise:

• Confidentiality – Client Services volunteers
  For the quiet, consistent way they hold stories, protect privacy and create safe spaces for people living with cancer and their families.
• Innovation – Candace and Gail
  For their leadership and creativity in Project Revitalise, helping us rethink and refresh the way we show up for our community.
• Collaboration – Yvonne
  In acknowledgement of the care and effort she has poured into building and supporting the Katoomba Op Shop team.
• Community – John Eva (for the second year running)
  Recognised for his contribution across so many of our values, and especially for being the driving force behind the Katoomba Op Shop’s Dry July success.
• Respect – Paul and Jarred
  For the way they turn up for their team every day – steady, reliable and willing to pitch in wherever needed, with nothing ever being too much trouble.
• Compassion – Lorraine
  In recognition of the heart and hard work she brings to our Op Shop bake sales, creating connection and care in such a simple, generous way.
• Care – Suzy Baker
  For the way she consistently takes time to listen, hold space and respond with kindness to others, often behind the scenes.

We also presented the “Above and Beyond” award jointly to our Op Shops, recognising the outstanding result achieved in our Dry July campaign. Beyond helping us hit our target, this funded more subsidised therapies for individuals and families living with cancer, keeping support local, practical and affordable.

The people who made it happen

Behind the scenes, many people and partners turned a simple idea into a beautiful afternoon. We give special thanks to:

• Suzy, our key organiser, who ensured all the party details were covered
• Our team of volunteers, who created food platters, decorated the marquee and helped everything run smoothly
• Our MC, Tania Sloan, who held the afternoon together with her own special style – and a boogie on the dance floor
• Red Pepper Catering, for the food that everyone enjoyed
• Blueys Event Hire, who transformed the car park and garden into a welcoming celebration space

Everyone came together to say thank you, and to ensure we could all arrive, relax and feel appreciated.

Gratitude 

By the time the bus arrived, the marquee was being packed down and the glasses cleared away, what remained was a strong sense of gratitude.

Gratitude for another year of showing up.

Gratitude for the people who give their time, skills and heart to this organisation.

Gratitude for a community that believes no one should have to face cancer alone.

As well as celebrating the end of a big milestone year, our Christmas Party was a pause, a thank you and a reminder of what sits at the centre of Cancer Wellness Support – all of the people, standing together, making a difference.

To everyone who attended, organised, poured drinks, plated food, played games, gave speeches or simply showed up and joined in: thank you.

Have a wonderful break, and we look forward to seeing you all again in 2026.