General News
15 December, 2023
Final feed for the year with festive fling
CAMPERDOWN Uniting Church was a hive of activity as the 15th annual Christmas Community Lunch was held last week.
About 100 people gathered in the Uniting Church Hall for this year’s lunch, with plenty of meat, vegetables and a plum pudding or pavlova for dessert.
The meal offers a chance for people in the community to get together and enjoy a meal, sing carols, catch up and win some door prizes.
Camperdown Uniting Church treasurer Colin Hayman said the lunch brought people together from all walks of life.
“It is great to see everyone come together and enjoy a beautiful meal together in such a happy atmosphere and to hear plenty of chatting and people catching up with each other,” he said.
“It is a joyful celebration – exactly what Christmas should be.
“The church especially would like to thank and applaud all the volunteers and groups that make this day happen, and who help with the community lunches right throughout the year.
“Without the efforts of these groups and people the church would not be able to have the community meal on a weekly basis.”
Corangamite Shie deputy mayor Laurie Hickey attended the event, thanking the volunteers for their work and wishing attendees a happy and safe Christmas.
Mr Hayman said Corangamite Shire Council has been “great supporters” of the Christmas Lunch, and have provided funding to enable the lunch to continue over the years.
“Woolworths have also been great supporters of the community meal and other Uniting Church initiatives through their Food Waste Program and have also assisted in other ways throughout the year,” he said.
“The church would like to especially thank those volunteers who have been involved all through the year. The meals would not happen without the dedication of our regular volunteer team: Jennine and Stuart Harrison, Gwen, Mary and Vicki.
“The church wishes everyone a peaceful and safe Christmas, especially those who are bereaved, those who are by themselves and those who are missing someone special.”
The church invited the community to attend Christmas Eve Candlelight Carols on December 24 at 8pm, as well as a Christmas Day service beginning at 9.30am.