It will be a little bit different this year, but the Bathurst community Christmas lunch will again bring people together at Hope Church to celebrate Christmas Day.
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The event will operate under COVID-safe precautions, with attendance limited to 100 people and 30 volunteers.
But despite the reduction in numbers [the event usually attracts over 200 guests], organiser Barney Rumble said the lunch will take on more importance than ever after the tough year the community has faced.
"The lunch is coming together nicely and while it will be different, we're thankful to be able to go ahead with it, as it's such a vital event for people who have nowhere else to go," Mr Rumble said.
"We were up to 82 guests as of midday Wednesday, so we're expecting to get close to 100 in attendance."
Mr Rumble was on hand at Hope Church on Wednesday making initial preparations for the lunch, preparing pumpkins, potatoes and carrots.
While the Western Advocate was in attendance, a member of the community donated a whole leg of ham to the lunch, highlighting Bathurst's willingness to provide some Christmas cheer for the less fortunate.
"The generosity of the Bathurst community ensures we're able to put this lunch on every year," Mr Rumble said.
"We've had the Bathurst RSL Club donate already, and the Bathurst Liquor Accord has also contributed again this year."
"Bathurst is a very generous town, the community has never let me down."
Mr Rumble said the lunch provides a unique opportunity for members of the community to share insightful stories in a comfortable environment.
"A few years ago, a chap came in to celebrate Christmas for the first time since Cyclone Tracy, which struck Darwin in 1974," he said.
"The bloke lost his whole family in the cyclone, and had naturally avoided celebrating Christmas up until that point."
"It's those sorts of stories that really add to the lunch each year, and I reckon I could write a book on the people I've met through this event."
In a change from previous years, there will be no pick-ups or drop-offs for the lunch, and Mr Rumble said appropriate COVID-safe measures will be in place.
"There will be a sign-in register at the door to track attendance, and masks will be available for anyone who needs one," he said.
"It's been a tough year all around, but Bathurst has been very lucky to have been spared the brunt of these latest COVID restrictions, so hopefully everyone has an enjoyable Christmas."