The long-term Katherine resident fighting cancer with billy tea and scones didn't think twice about preserving the tradition of hosting the biggest morning tea when her husband passed away.
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Bess Hart had not expected to be swinging campfire tea alone when she started the fundraiser for the Cancer Council nine years ago with Ted Hart, a beloved resident at the heart of the NT cattle industry.
But in true community spirit, friends and family came in droves to pitch in, ensuring the thousands of dollars raised every year continues.
"He would have wanted me to keep going," Bess Hart said today at her large property on Gorge Road where tables were packed with people enjoying an array of home-baked goods.
"We've been given so much in life, we were blessed with a good family, good health, a good life. It was our way of giving back a little something."
"Cancer hasn't stopped."
With the disease affecting people on both sides of the family, the decision to support the Cancer Council's life-saving research, prevention and support programs was an easy one.
"Everyone knows someone who has or has had cancer, we thought if we could raise even a little bit of money, it would be a help.
"My two brothers had prostate cancer, my dad had testicular cancer, Ted's sister had lung cancer and his brother had Leukemia.
"We are just doing our bit."
Year on year, the Katherine community digs deep to raise upwards of $5000, all of which is channeled back into the town.
Big ticket items are donated to be auctioned off, close friends spend days in the lead up baking cakes and preserving jams to sell, and everyone who comes through throws notes in the collection box instead of a gold coin donation for a traditional leafy tea and a sweet treat.
A station girl through and through, Mrs Hart grew up with dinner camps in the bush and tea boiled on the fire.
Her famous billy tea is now only brought out for special occasions and events like today's fundraiser, and is a special reminder of childhood and life with her husband.
"I grew up on billy tea," she said.
"So when we decided to host the biggest morning tea, we had to make tea the way we liked it best."
Mrs Hart hopes to be standing over the hot coals, tea bubbling away, for years to come.
The event has grown exponentially over the years, and with the community behind Mrs Hart, doesn't look to be slowing down any time soon.
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