The tea might not be the only thing steaming, and menopause ain’t no piece of cake — but at this high tea, we’re laughing about it. Photo: serts.
Perimenopause and menopause — it’s a hot topic, so to speak.
Awareness is on the rise, with the government investing $64.5 million over three years from 2025/26 to increase access to specialist care for women’s health with a focus on perimenopause and menopause.
Yet, for something that’s an inevitability for all women, and can significantly reduce the quality of life for many of them, the topic remains weirdly taboo — and that doesn’t sit right with Stella Stead.
The local business leader with a penchant for bringing people together is hosting a luxurious high tea dedicated to celebrating, connecting and “laughing our way through this stage of life”.
Tickets include a complimentary glass of bubbly, followed by an afternoon of delicious food, meaningful connection and empowering conversations.
Inspiring speakers will openly share personal experiences about the realities of perimenopause and the science behind “what the heck is going on”. Through this, guests will get a better understanding of the changes, the challenges and, perhaps most importantly, the community that will help them thrive through it.
“I think it’s important for women to get together, at the very least so they know they’re not alone,” Stella says.
“We need to be talking about this more. The more we know, the better we understand what the heck is going on, and the better we understand, the better we can look after ourselves.”
Research shows women remain uninformed and unprepared about perimenopause and menopause. One lived experience shared in a recent inquiry into menopause and perimenopause revealed women were still being gaslit and misdiagnosed, their symptoms ignored and dismissed.
“(I was) told they’re all in my head or it’s stress, told to exercise, take a holiday, have a glass of wine,” it read.
Menopause took Stella by surprise, and her journey to answers will sound familiar to many women.
“I started waking up at 3 am, and eventually realised that little quirk was here to stay. My rage was uncontrollable, and that’s the honest-to-God truth. My husband kept asking, ‘What’s wrong with you?’ and I would say, ‘I don’t know!'” she says.
“It took me four years of seeing doctors for various symptoms until finally, an endocrinologist told me weight management was not just a question of calories in and calories out anymore.”
In typical Stella fashion, the high tea will include a healthy injection of humour and light-heartedness, including a few surprise appearances from the “Perimenopause Fairies” who will spritz away hot flashes. There will also be stalls to browse, raffle prizes to win and a lucky door prize.
All money raised will be going to Illawarra-founded charity Escabags Australia.
And while the topic is pertinent for women experiencing perimenopause or menopause, Stella says younger audiences shouldn’t shy away from attending.
“I wish I knew in my 30s what I know now,” she says.
The Happy, Hot and Thriving High Tea takes place on Saturday 8 November from 1 to 4:30 pm at Corrimal RSL. Tickets are $45 and limited to 100 — book via eventbrite.
