THE Bendigo community festive season lunch will again be held on Christmas Day.
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The event will be held in the Conservatory at All Seasons Hotel Bendigo after discussions with the City of Greater Bendigo to move the lunch back to December 25.
Owners Tom and Jeanine Hedley said they were thrilled to be hosting the event because Christmas was a special time for all to enjoy.
"It is not just for the people who can afford it, it should be for everybody,'' Mrs Hedley said.
"Everyone should celebrate Christmas on Christmas Day and we hope this can help people do that.
“We did not hesitate in taking part in this worthwhile event that involves many in our community. We look forward to throwing open our doors and welcoming people to celebrate Christmas with us."
The lunch will include a visit from Santa and all the traditional Christmas trimmings.
Mayor Barry Lyons said the city was looking forward to continuing the important tradition.
“Already a number of organisations have offered their support to ensure the lunch is a great success," he said.
The Community Christmas lunch was introduced by Christian organisation EpiCentre in 2007 and ran for several years before the group was unable to continue in 2011.
A group of Bendigo organisations pulled together in the final hour in December that year to host a Christmas feast at the town hall for those who were alone or less fortunate – and called on the community's help to do it.
The event then continued for two years, until the City of Greater Bendigo last year decided to move the lunch to two days before Christmas.
The move had some in the community questioning whether the meaning of the lunch had been lost, but despite some concerns a successful day was held at Bendigo Stadium on December 23.
The city has this year decided to change the event back to Christmas Day.
Further details will be announced in coming weeks.
Businesses wanting to support the lunch can contact the major events unit on 5434 6000.
The history of the Christmas lunch:
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013