Benevolent Society manager Jane Hynes presented Woolworths assistant manager Dean Wilkins with a certificate of appreciation for their part in the event, which was held late last month for Children’s Week.

The local supermarket donated a large slab cake and a wide range of fruit to keep the youngsters fed as they played in the jumping castle, fixed up their toys in the teddy hospital and had their faces painted.

“The teddy bear picnic is about that warmth of looking after children and keeping them safe,” Jane said.

Yogi Bear and Boo Boo were welcome guests on the day, which was organised by a wide range of community services including the Benevolent Society and Pathfinders, in co-operation with local schools and childcare centres. 

“It shows that community spirit and generosity,” Jane said of Woolworths’ donation. 

“The kids had a lovely time because we had the cake... but then the contribution of the fruit - grapes, oranges, bananas - it was incredibly generous.”

Mental health support worker Peter McMahon agreed, and said the fruit was “amazing” because there was 300 children there on the day. 

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