Wayside Christmas lunch pays tribute to those who lost their homes
It’s for the down and outs, the up and outs, and everyone in between. The Wayside Chapel’s annual festive lunch ensures nobody need be alone on Christmas, and this year’s celebrations didn’t disappoint.
NSW
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Home is where your community is — this is the Christmas message shared by homelessness charity and church the Wayside Chapel this festive season.
The church’s annual Christmas Day lunch and street party saw hundreds of homeless people gather to celebrate alongside ambassadors, volunteers and former Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and wife Lucy.
“Lucy and I have been supporters for a very long time. We have had a very long association (with Wayside),” Mr Turnbull said while serving lunch at the event.
But instead of Santa and his elves, the stars of this Christmas were the Rural Fire Service and their brave volunteers.
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“We must remember that so many Australians are not at home with their families. They are keeping Australia safe. Some of them far from Australia, overseas,” Mr Turnbull said.
“Thousands of firefighters are out there putting themselves in harm’s way to keep Australia safe. Pray for the firefighters, support them however you can … They need our help, they need the support of governments.”
The Street Choir mirrored Mr Turnbull’s sentiments, putting a bushfire themed twist on festive jingles, singing “The RFS are coming to town”, “Let it glow” and “Dashing through the haze”.
Wayside Chapel pastor and chief executive Jon Owen said inclusive events like the street party are now more important than ever.
“Everyone is welcome on the street. No one can be kicked out of the street. That is where we stand and embrace people,” Pastor Owen said.
“The Christmas story really holds for me that in the midst of some of the darkest moments, hope can emerge.
“The fact that people woke up in the gutter this morning should awaken us to the fact that we should be able to do better. We should not have homelessness in this country.”
Local Ping Zhou said he came to the event because he’s proud of his community for being inclusive.
“I went to it last year for the first time and I just loved it. It’s like a big Christmas family,” Mr Zhou said.
“We are very proud to be here. I brought my parents with me today.”
Volunteer Felicity Powell has been giving her time to the charity for seven years and described the experience as extremely rewarding.
“It’s really important to be a part of something that is community based and not about ourselves, especially in this social media intense world,” she said.
“It was about being an example to my kids. I’ve absolutely 100 per cent gotten more from this place than I have ever given back.”
Local Diana Casanova came with her puppy to celebrate with others as her entire family is in Peru.
“My family is overseas in Peru so Christmas is lonely for me,” Ms Casanova said.
“I like to come and celebrate here with people who are homeless. I have a special place in my heart for them.”