Community
4 December, 2025
Celebrating the holidays
VOLUNTEERS helped to heighten community connection with a Christmas lunch on Tuesday with thanks to the generosity of the Terang and District Co-op.
Volunteers from the St Vincent de Paul Terang and Mortlake conference were busy in the kitchen as the Terang Civic Hall’s Rose Room filled with fellowship and conversation among attendees.
Aged care residents from Aberlea in Mortlake and Mt View in Terang were among those in attendance, having the opportunity to get out an about in the community – reconnecting with old friends or building connections with new people.
It was this desire to support people living in aged care, or those who did not have family living locally at Christmas time which had been a driving force behind the inception of the Christmas luncheon.
“It’s for people who didn’t have a community connection, or family away, to have a Christmas lunch,” St Vincent de Paul Terang and Mortlake conference president Bernadette McKinnon said.
“When they come out of the aged care homes, they need to be able to interact with others from the community, so this is our way of connecting people who may otherwise feel a little lonely or isolated at a time of year when togetherness is so valued.”
The luncheon this year featured roast chicken and vegetables, with the food having been donated by the Terang and District Co-op thanks to a push from chief executive officer Gary Tempany wanting to give back.
“Gary decided he would like to help make it more of a community event rather than just something from St Vincent de Paul so we became the legs and the Co-op supplied all the food,” Mrs McKinnon said.
“Dr Neil Jackson also peeled and provided all the pumpkin for us too.
“We’re very thankful for the support.”
The St Vincent de Paul Terang and Mortlake conference will also be having a sale of furniture items this weekend in a bid to support those who need help this Christmas.
“On Saturday we’ll have a garage sale with lots of furniture there,” St Vincent de Paul Terang and Mortlake conference member Des McKinnon said.
“Our policy is to help the needy with furniture, whatever they need, as they get in touch with us.
“But at the moment we’ve got a more-than-adequate supply of furniture - there is some good household furniture there such as some wardrobes, some beds and tables.
“That’ll be at the rear of St Thomas’ Church (corner Princes Highway and Bolivar Street) on Saturday from 8.30am to 2pm.”
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