Tessa Reed has embraced Echuca-Moama as her home, after moving to the area a couple of years ago to be closer to family and friends.

As a retired nurse, and with her husband diagnosed with prostrate cancer, Tessa also knows how lucky the community is to have the Echuca Regional Health Cancer and Wellness Centre.

She has been busy sewing bags and Santa sacks as a fundraiser for the Wellness Centre, which can be purchased from Candle Scents in Echuca.

The bags have multiple uses including great library bags for the kids.

They come in a variety of shapes, patterns and colours.

“My granddaughter is a social worker and she has taken some of the bags to give to underprivileged kids and they love them.

“I have also made some crochet rugs which she taken as well.”

Tessa said so many people are touched by cancer and she wanted to give something back.

“We are so lucky to have a facility like this in town where you don’t have to travel for treatment.

“The doctors travel up to us and it just makes everything so much easier,” Tessa said.

Candle Scents proprietor Barb Loader said it is a great initiative and really kind of Tessa to donate the bags.

“They are great little bags and they could be used for so many different things,” Barb said.

The team at Candle Scents are no strangers to supporting the Wellness Centre as they run a gift wrapping fundraiser all year round.

Nurse manager Lyn Jeffreson said she would like to acknowledge and sincerely thank Tessa and the team at Candle Scents for their ongoing support.

“Our Wellness Centre programs are funded by donations, with every dollar directly supporting the services we provide.

“The Candle Scents team continues to make a meaningful difference through their gold-coin gift-wrapping initiative and sale of Christmas gift bags.

“We are sure that community members and visitors who have received a beautifully wrapped item will be pleased to know that their donation supports such an important cause,” Lyn said.

Southern Riverina News Google News Panels

Sunday, 18th January 2026

Your Afternoon Headlines

Select Stories

Publish Panels