She is the driving force behind the Bring Back the Teapot Red Cross Charity Festival of Fun which kicks off with a splash of tea in her garden tomorrow from 11am.

With a passion for a good cuppa, Mrs Walton is less than keen on the trend towards teabags and the more recent swing towards coffee as a preferred beverage of the masses.

“Growing up in a country town there was always hot water on the wood stove and the first thing you gave a visitor was a cup of tea,’’ Mrs Walton said.

“I was brought up on tea from a pot, I’m not keen on tea bags I think they are a bit of an unknown.’’

A community market at the Tintaldra hall, with tea cosy display and voting, will start at 10am on Saturday.

But the highlight of the festival will be the Mad Hatters Tea Party in the Tintaldra Store gardens from 11am on Sunday.

There will be a debate on whether tea is Australia’s national drink, cups of tea, a sausage sizzle and prizes for the best tea cosy.

For information phone Mrs Walton: 6077 9201.