More than a meal: Fifty years of Mission Australia’s free Christmas lunch
For Tania Vos, attending Mission Australia’s Christmas Dinner in the Park with her two young daughters in 1999 was more than just a free meal.
It was a lifeline.
Ms. Vos was fleeing domestic violence at the time and was directed to the event by a service provider while trying to keep her children safe.
“If I had not come that day, I would have returned home,” he said.
“I remember being so embarrassed to be in this situation, but when I walked in the door they didn’t see any of it.
“They just saw me as a human being.”
On Thursday, 26 years later, Ms. Vos returned to the event to volunteer with her daughter, Brooke O’Hearn, in what she described as a “full-circle moment.”
Ms O’Hearn stated that the incident shaped her as a person and praised her mother’s strength.
“For my mom to have access to something like this and encourage us to go out and be people who do things like this… it’s impacted every aspect of my life,” he said.
Celebrating its 50th anniversary, Mission Australia’s Christmas Lunch in the Park, held in Perth’s Wellington Square, is the largest of its kind in Australia, with around 400 volunteers helping to provide meals and access to essential services for around 1500 people.
Mission Australia Director WA Sue Budalich said this milestone reflects decades of community generosity.
This comes at a time when many people are struggling to do so, Ms. Budalich said.
“It should be a festive season when your heart is filled with joy, love and family, and the sad truth is that many people don’t have that,” Ms. Budalich said.
“We’re creating that space here and it’s beautiful; there’s no place I’d rather be.”
During the period when many services were closed, gifts from Santa Claus were distributed to children and care packages containing non-perishable food and personal care items were distributed to adults to help them get through the holiday season.
Volunteer Robert D’Souza has been giving up Christmas Day to help with the event for 28 years.
“Seeing people out there with nothing… they come here and eat, buy new clothes, get a haircut, take a shower… that’s what makes me happy and that’s why I do it every year,” he said.
WA Governor Chris Dawson praised those who gave up their time to help with the event.
“Today is an example of what Christmas is all about; it’s about giving more of yourself to others,” he said.
“I really want to thank the volunteers who gave up Christmas morning here today, they are selfless and I really want to honor them.”
