![Mrs Hurley and Mrs Wood. Mrs Hurley and Mrs Wood.](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/mKAkrJf2Y8SL5yQyNmtCUB/a4c313f5-4927-4056-9bc7-024f64d74b64.JPG/r137_26_1846_2362_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
The Maitland Lantern Club held a special ceremony to mark 50 years of helping deaf and blind children. Dignitaries paid tribute to the group’s decades of humanitarianism and a member who has been there since the very beginning.
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The Maitland Lantern Club has raised almost $250,000 for the Royal Institute of Deaf and Blind Children in the Hunter since it was established.
Maitland mayor Peter Blackmore served as MC for the event and introduced guests that included the wife of the Governor of NSW, Linda Hurley, representatives of the RIDBC and beneficiaries of the institute Kallan Mitchell and Connor Wink.
Speakers praised the tireless devotion of the group and made special mention of inaugural member Jess Wood, who has been a member of the group since it was founded in 1966.
“We are indebted to the dedicated Lantern Club volunteers who have fundraised and supported RIDBC for over 50 years,” RIDBC director of fundraising and development Steven Rust said.
“I’d also like to acknowledge Jess Wood, the only remaining member from the inaugural meeting 50 years ago.”
He also thanked members Deidre Howard, Jan Dunkley and Nola Wheadon for their 30 years of service.
Mrs Hurley presented Mrs Wood with a star commemoration for 50 years of service and a corsage.
Mrs Hurley also lead the crowd in singing Happy Birthday and cut the club’s birthday cake with Mrs Wood.
The club was established after Melba Redman gathered 19 women from her church to hear the story of Hunter girl Alice Betteridge, who was both deaf and blind.
Despite her disabilities, Alice became the first deaf and blind Australian to gain an education.
Her story compelled them to devote themselves to the fundraising mission, which they continue today.