General News
10 December, 2021
Community sits down to a meal together
TURKEY and ham and all the trimmings were on offer at the final Camperdown Uniting Church community meal for the year.
TURKEY and ham and all the trimmings were on offer at the final Camperdown Uniting Church community meal forthe year.
About 50 people tucked in to a Christmas lunch on Wednesday thanks to the hard work of volunteers.
The Christmas Community Meal was the 13th to be held and after a difficult few years due to COVID restrictions, it was a positive to be able to be held in person.
The Camperdown Uniting Church facilitates the weekly community meal which provides a home cooked meal for people of all ages and life circumstances.
Camperdown Uniting Church congregation chairperson Ros Hayman thanked all the volunteers and groups which make the meal happen throughout the year.
“Over the past two years the community meal volunteers have had to do things differently due to the forever changing COVID guidelines and at times it has not been easy to ensure that people have been able to enjoy a meal often delivered rather than in person,” she said.
“Thank you to the Corangamite Shire Council for its ongoing support of the Christmas Community Lunch and Woolworths who have generously provided food through their Food Waste Program and have also assisted in other ways throughout the year.”
Mrs Hayman said the weekly meals would not be possible without the efforts of the regular volunteers and teams who help each week under the guidance and support of the community lunch co-ordinators Jennine and Stuart Harrison.
She said the regular volunteers were Ted Peers, Minnie Wright, Jenny Mee and Gwen George.
“The church has greatly appreciated their efforts in ensuring that the meal continues to be an important part of many people’s week,” Mrs Hayman said.
“It is wonderful that the meal brings people together from all walks of life where everyone can enjoy getting together to share in a beautiful meal in such a happy atmosphere.
“I wish everyone a peaceful and safe Christmas, especially those are who bereaved, whose who are by themselves and those who will be unable to see their family and friends due to COVID restrictions.”
The Camperdown Uniting Church will be holding its annual carol services on Christmas Eve and a service on Christmas Day with the wider community invited to attend under COVID guidelines.
Mrs Hayman encouraged anyone interested in becoming part of one of the cooking teams under the guidance of the co-ordinators next year to contact Jennine Harrison on 0403 660 710.
“It is a wonderful way to give back to the community – just seeing people relax, smile and be grateful for a delicious meal is thanks enough,” she said.
