Hobart’s Colony 47 and In The Hanging Garden share spirit of Christmas with community lunch
More than 500 Tasmanians who are doing it tough were treated to a community Christmas lunch by a group of dedicated volunteers from a Hobart housing charity. Why they did it.
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More than 500 people filled the open atrium Cathedral at Hobart’s In the Hanging Garden as part of Colony47’s Community Christmas lunch, with delicacies like oysters, barbecued meats and the state’s finest cheeses.
Crowds of volunteers helped to set up, serve and spread Christmas cheer at the Hobart charity’s annual event, with fundraising bringing in over $10,000 to support the lunch as well as sponsors from around the state providing goodies to make this the best Christmas for all Tasmanians.
Colony47 CEO Diane Underwood said while people registering for the lunch had increased this year, volunteer numbers had also soared.
“We are lucky that this year we had enough funds and so much items donated but fantastic Tasmanian businesses that we don’t have to have a cut-off for people who would like to come along,” she said.
“In the same breath, we have had so many volunteers register their interest and show up to help on the day that we have been able to just ask them to sit at a table and chat with our diners as they come in.”
Local chef Scott Heffernan of Flint Kitchen Ms Underwood said most of those attending the Christmas lunch were there due to cost of living rises and homelessness.
Yet, an increase in people experiencing loneliness also drove attendance this year.
“Some people are just lonely at Christmas and enjoy the time to sit and chat with others.” Ms Underwood said.
“That’s why the atmosphere of where we host our Christmas lunches is so important – we want it to feel festive, fun and warm – not just a place to get a meal and go.”
Geilston Bay partners Erin and Heather Davis-Schnierer thought nothing would be better than spending their Christmas Day at Colony47’s lunch.
“It’s our first year that we were finally able to do this and we are really excited,” Ms Davis-Schnierer said.
“It’s in the spirit of Christmas to give and there was no place else we wanted to be today – it is important to be here,” Ms Davis-Schnierer said
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Originally published as Hobart’s Colony 47 and In The Hanging Garden share spirit of Christmas with community lunch
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