Cancer Council ACT Celebrates 33 Years of Australia's Biggest Morning Tea
Cancer Council ACT
- Cancer Council ACT is celebrating 33 years of Australia's Biggest Morning Tea, with the official date set for Thursday 21 May 2026, and events taking place across Canberra throughout May and June.
- Her Excellency the Honourable Sam Mostyn MC, Governor-General of Australia, attended a special morning tea event in Canberra alongside clients from Cancer Council ACT's ENHANCE Wellbeing programme and Wig Service.
- Nearly 300 Canberrans have registered to host a morning tea this year, with Cancer Council ACT aiming to raise $200,000 to fund local cancer research, prevention, and support services.
- Funds raised support vital services, including free wigs for those experiencing hair loss from cancer treatment, the ENHANCE Wellbeing programme, and specialist supportive care for those affected by cancer.
- With almost one in two Australians diagnosed with cancer by the age of 85, anyone wishing to host an event or donate can register at biggestmorningtea.com.au.
This year, Cancer Council ACT is marking 33 years of Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea, celebrating one of the nation’s most recognised fundraising campaigns. The official date of Australia's Biggest Morning Tea is Thursday 21 May 2026, with events taking place across Canberra throughout May and June.
For more than three decades, Australians have gathered over tea, coffee and home baking to support people impacted by cancer, with all funds raised helping provide vital support services, prevention programs and lifesaving cancer research.
This year, Cancer Council ACT was honoured to welcome Her Excellency the Honourable Sam Mostyn MC, Governor-General of Australia, who joined clients from Cancer Council ACT’s ENHANCE Wellbeing program and Wig Service at a special morning tea event in Canberra. The event highlights the importance of community-led fundraising efforts and the impact they continue to have across the ACT.
“Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea is such a powerful campaign because it is built on connection, kindness and support for a cause that touches every part of our community.
We were delighted to welcome Her Excellency, and our clients to our event and hope it inspires even more Canberrans to put the kettle on for their friends, families and colleagues,” said Verity Hawkins, CEO, Cancer Council ACT.
Almost 300 people across Canberra have registered to host an Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea this year, and Cancer Council ACT are aiming to raise $200,000.
Whether you choose to host at your workplace, school, community hall or family home, every morning tea plays a role in supporting Canberrans affected by cancer.
With almost 1 in 2 Australians diagnosed with cancer by the age of 85, the campaign continues to inspire hundreds of Canberrans to come together each year in support of loved ones, friends and colleagues impacted by cancer.
Robert has hosted an Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea for 24 years in honour of his father, making him one of the campaign’s most loyal supporters.
Nicole is embracing the campaign this year at her workplace, with a “Speciality Cake Competition”, inviting colleagues to go head-to-head in the most delicious way possible.
Thursday 21 May 2026 is the official date of Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea; however, people can host an event at any time throughout May and June.
To register or donate to Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea, please visit: biggestmorningtea.com.au
To learn more about Cancer Council ACT, please visit: actcancer.org
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NOTES TO EDITORS:
What: Cancer Council ACT’s Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea
When: Thursday 21 May 2026 (with events held throughout May and June)
Where: Anywhere that suits you
Who: Anyone across ACT and its region can register to host a morning tea to support people affected by cancer.
Registrations: www.biggestmorningtea.com.au or email [email protected]
ADDITIONAL FACTS:
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One Australian is diagnosed with cancer approximately every five minutes, the length of an average tea break.
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Almost one in two Australians will be diagnosed with cancer before the age of 85.
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It’s estimated that over 169,500 Australians were diagnosed with cancer last year – that’s more than 460 per day.
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It’s estimated that over 1.4 million Australians have either survived a diagnosis or are currently living with cancer.
How morning tea’s make a difference
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Funds raised by Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea helps Cancer Council ACT fund local life-saving cancer research, prevention and support programs.
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Tackling cancer takes all of us. That’s why we need your help to raise vital funds, so we can be there for our ACT community affected by cancer and continue getting closer to a cancer free future.
What Aussie donations can do
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$10 – Connect someone newly diagnosed with cancer to trusted online support and vital resources.
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$25-Can help fund a conversation with one of our specialised Supportive Care Team, to provide critical support and information to Canberrans affected by cancer.
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$120 - Helps ensure our life-changing health and wellbeing program, ENHANCE Wellbeing, remains free of charge to those affected by cancer in our local area; providing connection, support and gentle movement.
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$205 - Can help Canberrans facing hair loss from cancer treatment regain confidence and comfort with a wig or hat. Funding helps ensure we can continue to provide the first item of headwear for free.
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$1,000 – Could fund world-class ACT-based research that saves lives and improves outcomes for cancer patients.
About us:
Cancer Council ACT has been advocating for Canberrans living with cancer for nearly 50 years across every aspect of cancer prevention, support and research to alleviate the impact of cancer in the community. Learn more about what we do here.
Contact details:
Cancer Council ACT
PH: 02 6257 9999
Email: [email protected]
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Her Excellency the Honourable Sam Mostyn MC, Governor-General of Australia with the Cancer Council ACT team and clients.
