Deniliquin was awash with yellow for Daffodil Day at My Shop and Deniliquin Florist, with special tribute also being paid to the woman who helped bring Daffodil Day to Denilqiuin.
Last week marked 10 years since Antia ‘Nita’ Nolan lost her own battle with cancer.
She was a dedicated volunteer for the Cancer Council, and was involved with introducing Daffodil Day to Deniliquin more than three decades ago.
Local efforts began out of her Deniliquin home, and grew to take over the Cressy St Kiosk in the CBD for the sale of daffodils and Daffodil Day merchandise.
Mrs Nolan and other volunteers then combined their efforts with Denise Phillips at My Shop, to create the cafe-style event we know and love today.
To remember Mrs Nolan’s impact, some of her friends wore ‘For Nita’ Daffodil Day shirts in her honour at the My Shop event.
The atmosphere was electric as always, and generous community members helped raise more than $11,000 for cancer research and support services.
Long-time coordinator Irene Davies, who has been volunteering for 25 years, described the day as “very big,” adding “it shows the generosity of the community”.
She recalled a moment that perfectly captured the mood.
“I was at the stand and I turned away, and when I turned back, there was a new $100 note in the collection jar,” she said.
On offer were a lively mix of cakes, slices, fresh daffodils, Daffodil Day merchandise, and raffle tickets.
Lyn Baker won the quilt donated by Joy Bennett, Kevin Hall won the hamper from Christine Beckwith, and Rhonda Wilson claimed the $100 fuel voucher courtesy of Purtill Group.
Just around the corner, Deniliquin Florist owner Angie Wren hosted her own Daffodil Day celebration in Cressy St.
In just its third year, the event raised more than $2000.
The stall had a barbecue, raffle, cupcakes, biscuits and of course daffodils on sale. All items were sold out by 1pm.
Miss Wren expressed her gratitude to everyone who contributed, noting that the fundraiser “keeps getting bigger, and bigger” with more prizes and sponsors each year.
Winner of the Deniliquin Florist raffle hamper - filled thanks to a collection of local businesses - was Wendy Crossley.
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