Spirit shines at Bendigo lunch

Community spirit proved the true meaning of Christmas at the Bendigo community lunch yesterday.Pulled together by a group of volunteers at the eleventh hour, the lunch attracted more than 300 people, all keen to share the day.With usual lunch organiser Epicentre unable to put on the event this year, various community groups and businesses, led by Bendigo Advertiser deputy editor Nicole Ferrie and Our Place director Tracey Wolsley, stepped up to fill the gap three weeks ago. Gallery: Christmas celebrations around BendigoThe call went out and the community donated thousands of dollars to ensure the event went ahead. More than 50 volunteers helped yesterday, organising food, playing games with children, giving out presents and cleaning up.“I think it’s remarkable what you can do as a community when you pull together,” Mrs Wolsley said.“There were so many contributions that enabled this to happen. What we have achieved in three weeks is amazing.“A lot of people have had loved ones die, relationships breakdown or simply have nowhere to go. This serves so many people.”Volunteers Kelli Molloy and Cavelle Binns said it was all about putting the meaning back into Christmas.“We had a friend in his mid-30s die of cancer this year and he did it in such a selfless way, it just made us want to be a bit more selfless in our lives,” Ms Molloy said. “And I think the other thing was we got sick of the over consumption of food and gifts with no meaning.”It was Jenelle Harman’s second year at the lunch.“There’s a lot of people who can’t afford special food or presents, but at least they can share the day with other people,” she said.