Have A Cuppa For Dementia

In Australia, there are 425,000 people living with dementia as of 2024, with that number expected to more than double to over 800,000 by 2054.

Even if dementia doesn’t directly affect you, the likelihood of it touching someone close to you in your lifetime is very high.

Rebecca Ross is one of those people. Her beloved mother was recently diagnosed with frontal temporal and vascular dementia. It has been a journey she describes as heartbreaking, but one she is determined to turn into hope and awareness for others.

“My mum’s always been very independent. She raised five children on her own and owned multiple businesses, and to see her needing help now is heartbreaking,” Rebecca explained.
“It’s just watching the decline of somebody that you love, seeing them slowly change from the person they’ve always been.”

Rebecca’s experience has inspired her to host Coffee for Dementia Day, a community fundraising event in support of Dementia Australia. The morning tea will be held on Thursday, 16 October, at The Bali Hut at the Sailing Club, and aims to raise both funds and awareness of the disease.

Tickets are $20 or $15 for pensioners, and include a delicious morning tea of tea, coffee, sandwiches, cakes, sausage rolls and sweets. There will also be a raffle featuring prizes from generous local businesses, including SeaLink, Red Cat, LiveLife Pharmacy, and several Whitsunday hospitality groups.

“Even if people can’t make it on the day, they can still help by donating. Every bit makes a difference,” Rebecca says.

This is the second year Rebecca has hosted the fundraiser. Last year’s event was smaller, but with the support of friends such as Tina Cook from Whitsunday Party Hire and Margie Murphy from Airlie Events, this year’s morning tea promises to be even bigger.

While the atmosphere will be warm and welcoming, the cause is serious.

“We just need to be more aware. It’s now the leading cause of death among women in Australia,” Rebecca says.

“There are 130 different types of dementia, and no known cure.”

Through her mother’s diagnosis, Rebecca has discovered a deep passion for advocacy and education.

“The more I learn, the more passionate I become. It’s taken me down a path I never thought I’d be on.”

Despite the emotional toll, she finds comfort in small, joyful moments with her mother.

“There are happy moments too. Every now and then we share a giggle when she mixes up a word or says something funny.”

For Rebecca, the event is more than a fundraiser. It is a tribute.

“This event is about awareness, for my mum, for my friends, and for the future.”

Even if you cannot attend in person, you can still contribute by donating online. For enquiries, contact Rebecca Ross at rebecca@metrotilesab.com.au. Join the community in sharing a cuppa and showing support for an important cause that touches so many hearts.

With kindness, community spirit and a strong cup of tea, Rebecca Ross is proving that even in the face of loss, love and awareness can still lead the way.

What: Cuppa for Dementia
Where: Whitsunday Sailing Club - Bali Hut Pavilion and Lawn
When: Thursday, 16 October 2025 from 11:00am to 12:30pm
Tickets: $20 or $15 for a Pensioner Ticket

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