The Maytime Fair is back!

On Saturday 7 May, thousands of people in Melbourne will spill through the gates of Xavier College for the return of Jesuit Mission’s annual fundraising event, the Maytime Fair.

The Maytime Fair has been held at Xavier College on the first Saturday in May since 1952, raising funds to support the many educational and social outreach programs of Jesuit Mission overseas.

“After an absence of two years due to COVID-19 restrictions, I am delighted to be able to welcome everyone again to this year’s Maytime Fair. It's wonderful to be able to renew our long tradition of coming together in May as a Jesuit community to support vulnerable communities overseas," - Helen Forde, CEO of Jesuit Mission.

All proceeds from the day go directly towards supporting at-risk communities across over 10 countries in Asia and Africa, including Cambodia, Timor-Leste, India, Myanmar, Thailand, Malawi and more.

Since the year 2000, the Maytime Fair has raised over $3 million to help provide a range of targeted support and training that empowers women, men and children to develop the skills and capacity to lift themselves out of poverty and injustice. 

The success of the Maytime Fair in supporting vulnerable communities overseas, is hinged upon the hard work and effort of hundreds of generous volunteers, who plan and prep year-round; baking, cooking, creating, gathering and preparing goods to be sold.

“Parents, students and friends of Jesuit Mission generously work together tirelessly to raise funds for people they will never meet, but whose lives are dramatically changed by their efforts,” - Katrina Varis, Maytime Fair Committee Chair.

Many of the Fair’s offerings, including fresh produce, preserves, baked goods, crafts, wine auctions, competitions and entertainment, are also donated at little to no cost by vendors.  

The Fair will include amusements and games for children of all ages as well as a variety of music, a huge array of food outlets and stalls, plant stalls, a second hand book store, cakes and confectionery, raffles and lots more. 

Your attendance at the Maytime Fair will help fund life-changing teaching and education programs; provide food and essential services to refugees displaced by conflict; provide healthcare and livelihood training to vulnerable communities and provide emergency relief to those most affected by disasters.

You are invited to join the Xavier College community in supporting Jesuit Mission at the Maytime Fair on Saturday 7 May. 

When: 9:00am – 5:00pm Saturday 7 May 2022 
Where: Xavier College Senior Campus, 135 Barkers Road, Kew 

For more details visit the Maytime Fair Facebook event page at www.facebook.com/events/388398716490005.

Those people unable to attend the Maytime Fair can support vulnerable communities by purchasing a ticket in Jesuit Mission’s annual raffle below.

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