Food Is Free Inc Fundraiser - Long Table Ladies Luncheon May 2026

Picture yourself enjoying 3 hours on a late Autumnal Saturday afternoon filled with meaningful female connection & inspiration over a delicious boutique long table luncheon in the beautiful surrounds of First Nations Women's Yarning Garden (Barkly Square) & Our Kitchen Social Cafe, whilst supporting the work of Food Is Free Inc.

Curated by our incredible volunteer team from Food Is Free Inc. with Emma Hart of Hart Futures, you will be nourished by the delectable catering from Sara Kittelty of Kittelys fame, (ably assisted by Brigid Corcoran of Saltbush Kitchen fame),

Delight in a delicious & flavoursome First Nations bushtucker-themed multicourse meal, including complimentary mocktails, made with love upon arrival. See menu below!

Be inspired by compelling speakers discussing female strength, overcoming adversity, standing by our Sisters/Tiddas & more, imparted in brave heartfelt short talks from two AMAZING local women - Bec Jakobi and Maureen Hatcher.

Enjoy your delicious complimentary mocktail as you arrive, whilst the small group will gather in the First Nations Women's Yarning Garden, soaking up the special energy in this truly grounding/beautiful space. A short tour will also be conducted, with thanks to Bec from Yarning Garden.

There's going to be a lot of magic on the day apart from the fine food and talks, including special performance by local musical (acoustic) duo Tom & Freya & more!

Women/those who identify as female, grab your tickets NOW as numbers are STRICTLY limited to 20 seats. Don't delay! Bookings essential via Humanitix.

Note: this unique function will commence in inner courtyard of Barkly Square - First Nations Women's Yarning Garden, (weather permitting.) If not - indoors overlooking the garden, in the communal Atrium area at Barkly Square. Then, onto the Our Kitchen Social Cafe adjacent to the Artium for the main meal.

Menu by Sara Kittelty of Kittelty's Catering...

Canapés

Pepperberry crackers with bush dip

Native thyme roast veg tarts 

Starter

Smoked trout salad w lemon Myrtle aioli 

Main

Roast chicken and root veg w mountain pepper 

Leafy salad w wattleseed balsamic dressing 

Muntrie salsa 

Dessert

Lemon myrtle drizzle cake w quandong ripple ice cream 

Wattleseed meringues

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Introducing our speakers...

BEC JAKOBI

Rebecca (Bec) Jakobi is so many things.

First and foremost, she is a proud Gunditjmara woman.

She is a beautiful mother to her son Jarli…who is her entire world, an inspiring team-leader of the self-determined group First Nations Women’s Yarning Garden, an artist, storyteller, and a small business owner Tru Dreaming.

She has held many community services positions at various Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations, especially when it comes to early childhood development and Indigenous children’s welfare.

Bec is a tireless campaigner and advocate of First Nations issues, particularly around respect for Country and proper use of the land.

An example is her ongoing pride in ensuring Black Hill is preserved in a manner appropriate in respecting the precious ochre on the cliffs, as well as recreational bikes and walkers are aware of the space being sacred. She is also part of the micro-forest project in that neighbourhood which is presently being established by locals.

She has very active in the ongoing fight for The Birthing Tree on her Country. Bec physically lived at the space, to save the tree for over a year, such is her dedication.

MAUREEN HATCHER

Mauz Hatcher is the founder of LOUD fence Inc., a grassroots movement that has grown into a powerful voice for victim-survivors of child sexual abuse.

What began as a simple act of solidarity, tying ribbons to a fence, has evolved into a global symbol of awareness, acknowledgement, activism and advocacy.

Through LOUD fence, Mauz has worked to create safe spaces for victim-survivors to be heard, believed and supported, while also challenging institutions and communities to confront uncomfortable truths.

Driven by a deep commitment to justice and change, Mauz leads with compassion and determination. She has helped shape conversations around child sexual assault, community responsibility, and the lasting impacts of abuse.

Under her leadership, LOUD fence Inc. continues to stand alongside victim-survivors, amplify their voices, and push for meaningful cultural and systemic change.

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We sincerely thank:

UFS Ballarat, Kittelty's, Barkly Square, Our Kitchen Social Cafe (Ines we love you!), Emma Hart of Hart Futures, Tom & Freya, Maurs & Bec, and our volunteers for their generosity and tireless work in making this event possible.

Limited accessible parking available at rear of venue. Barkly Square, is an accessible venue, incl. fully accessible toilet.

🐞 TOGETHER WE CAN CREATE CHANGE 🐞

As this is a fundraiser, we are so sorry to not offer refunds. If you find you are unable to attend, please get in touch, so we can discuss you sending a female/person identifying as female in your place, or we can arrange a Pay It Forward to one of our community members we know would love to go but don't have the means to.