'This is my family': the community lunch that puts the merry into Christmas
Updated 3 days ago by Owen Sinclair
Almost 400 guests packed tables and chairs on Christmas Day for another sold-out Community Christmas Lunch.
It was a special year for the annual event, held at the Door of Hope Christian Church on Thursday, December 25, which has now been filling bellies and hearts with traditional Christmas fare and community spirit for 10 years.
For volunteer Melissa Cripps, who has volunteered before and who this year spent the morning welcoming guests to their seats, the day was extra special; it was the first time she was able to come along with her six-month old daughter.
"This year, I wanted to do it again, and thought, 'Why not bring her along?' babies bring so much joy," Ms Cripps said.
Ms Cripps was one of at least 100 registered volunteers who enabled the day to go ahead without a hitch.
"It's an amazing way to give back to the community," she said.
"We're all fortunate, we have places to go, places to stay - other people aren't as fortunate.
"It's amazing to be part of that."
A volunteer effort
The menu consisted of roast chicken, roast turkey, baked ham, potato, pumpkin, carrot, swede, peas, gravy, along with bread rolls and a range of condiments. Five types of salad - lettuce, pasta, potato, coleslaw and a mixed green - and various desserts topped it off.
Volunteer cooks Chef Woody and Yvonne Gluyas have been cooking together for the past 20 years, and spent hours before the lunch preparing food in the kitchen, starting their day at 6am sharp.
Chef Woody said it was fantastic to be involved in the event.
"Half my career has been spent in this town cooking, so it's a time for us to give something back - volunteer our time, our experience and our trade," he said.
Meanwhile, the smiling faces and merry conversation was all the proof that Ms Gluyas needed of the lunch's success.
"It's a community Christmas. There are people in our community who are socially isolated, and they are not today. You look out there today: they are not socially isolated," she said.
"This is my family: these 400 people here.
"Our family are not just our three people at home - it is our community family."
Later, the Vinnies Van dispatched 50 meals to the Civic Square at midday. Organisers also awarded badges to those guests who have attended and supported the lunch for a long time.
Launceston City Council mayor Matthew Garwood lent his vocal prowess as he led carols from the stage.
Finding community
The lunch was organised by five charities, which each year share the responsibility of leading the event.
This year, City Mission was the lead organisation.
City Mission operations manager of community development Ray Green said there were lots of different reasons why people came to the lunch.
"I was talking to somebody in there - this is the 10th year they've come. They come here every year with their family; a lot of people see this as their Christmas now," he said.
"For a lot of people, they're itching for connection. They're wanting to get together with other people at this time.
"It's a very inclusive event."