Kiddipedia
Mother’s Day is often a time for connection, gratitude, and celebration, but it can also be a meaningful opportunity to give back.
The Our Village Mother’s Day Lunch 2026, the charity’s biggest annual fundraiser, is inviting Victorians to come together for an afternoon that blends celebration with impact.
Taking place on Friday 1 May 2026, this much-anticipated event will welcome 500 guests to The Glasshouse on Olympic Boulevard for a memorable experience filled with stories, music, laughter and, of course, vital fundraising.
Over the years, the Our Village Mother’s Day Lunch has grown into one of the most talked-about events on Melbourne’s social calendar. It attracts a vibrant mix of founders, entrepreneurs, media personalities and community leaders. People who share a common goal of supporting families in need.
Hosted by Brihony Dawson, with entertainment from Midnight Mix, the event promises a lively and uplifting atmosphere. Guests can expect a beautifully curated afternoon from 12pm to 4pm, complete with delicious food and a strong sense of community.
While the event certainly has a celebratory feel, with attendees encouraged to dress up and enjoy the occasion, it remains firmly grounded in its mission – raising vital funds for vulnerable babies and children across Victoria.
Our Village is a highly respected charity dedicated to helping families who are doing it tough. The organisation collects donations of pre-loved baby and children’s items, such as cots, prams, car seats, cots, clothing, toys and books, and redistributes them to families in need through a network of Maternal and Child Health Nurses and social workers. These recipients may not be able to afford the essentials for a number of reasons, from escaping violence to losing employment.
The donated items are not simply passed along. They are carefully cleaned, repaired and safety-checked by a dedicated team of volunteers before being rehomed. The result is a system that preserves dignity while ensuring children have access to safe, essential items.
This circular approach not only reduces waste but also strengthens community connections. Donors, volunteers, and supporters all play a role in creating a system where resources are shared and valued.
The impact is significant. In 2025 alone, Our Village supported over 19,000 vulnerable babies and children, distributing more than 66,000 items with a total value exceeding $7.6 million. These numbers represent not just material support, but relief for parents navigating financial stress, housing instability, or other challenges.
The Mother’s Day Lunch plays a crucial role in sustaining this important work.
Our Village CEO Ruth Holdaway, MBE, highlights both the celebratory and vital importance of the event:
“Celebrating Mother’s Day is a great chance to get dressed up and enjoy a wonderful afternoon while raising vital funds for mums in need. We totally understand that everyone is doing it tough right now, but we hope our amazing guests will dig deep to support those who do not even have the essentials.”
Her message reflects a reality many families are facing. While cost-of-living pressures are affecting households across the board, some parents are struggling to provide even the most basic items for their children. The funds raised at this event help bridge that gap.
In a world where parenting can often feel inward-focused, moments like these provide a meaningful opportunity to look outward.
For those attending the lunch – and even for those who can’t – there’s another exciting way to get involved while raising more money. A major raffle featuring over $35,000 worth of prizes!
The raffle is open to both event guests and the wider community, making it an accessible way to support the cause. Whether you’re able to attend the lunch or not, purchasing a raffle ticket offers a chance to contribute while also being in the running for an impressive range of
The Our Village Mother’s Day Lunch 2026 is more than just an event, it’s a reflection of what’s possible when community, compassion and action come together.
Whether you attend the lunch, purchase a raffle ticket, or simply learn more about the organisation’s work for future donations or voluntary work, there are many ways to get involved. Each one contributes to a larger effort to support vulnerable babies and children across Victoria.
This Mother’s Day, the invitation from Our Village is simple: celebrate, connect and give back.
For more information about Our Village, to secure tickets to the Mother’s Day Lunch, or buy raffle tickets visit www.ourvillage.org.au
